World Cup Predictions for 7/2/26

Spain vs Austria 

Score Prediction: Spain 2, Austria 0 

 

We kick off Thursday with a European clash between Spain and Austria. Spain was one of the tournament favorites coming into the World Cup, but they have yet to recapture their form we saw when they won the European Championship two years ago. They’ve dealt with injuries which is the main reason for that in my opinion, and they will once again likely be missing some key players here. Most importantly, however, Lamine Yamal is back healthy and that’s all that matters. While Nico Williams is not fully healthy, the team really has to run through Yamal not that they wouldn’t anyway. Austria was a sleeper pick for me, but this is a tough match-up for them as their first knockout game. Spain has yet to concede a goal at this tournament, and it would be a win just for Austria to find the back of the net here. 

 

Portugal vs Croatia 

Score Prediction: Portugal 2, Croatia 1

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Portugal failed to win their group, and that has given them a tougher path to a deep run starting with today’s match against Croatia. Croatia is an older team, but they have long overperformed in these major tournaments and they will very likely keep this match close today. I’ve said all tournament that Portugal might be my pick to win it all if Ronaldo would just take a back seat – and I don’t see him doing that given how good we have seen Messi, Mbappe and other big name stars play at this tournament. I don’t think it will burn them just yet, and I think ultimately Portugal’s midfield is just too creative for Croatia to handle. I am picking Portugal to advance, though I won’t be surprised if it’s a bit nervy late in this contest. 

 

Switzerland vs Algeria 

Score Prediction: Switzerland 1, Algeria 1 – Algeria advances in PKs

 

We finish off the night with Switzerland vs Algeria in a game that I think could provide the most drama of the day. Switzerland has been really underwhelming for me in this tournament despite winning their group – but they really found something after slotting Johan Manzambi into the starting lineup. He is the big X factor for me on their team, and has been the most impressive young player at this tournament thus far. Algeria are a strange team, I have backed them from a scoring standpoint all tournament and it has worked after the Argentina match, but I am not sure what to expect from them when it comes to consistency. They can play really open in the back and get themselves burned, but I think they can take advantage of the swiss defense as well that has conceded in every match. The African nations have suffered some heartbreaking late defeats in recent days including DR Congo, Senegal and the Ivory Coast. I think it might be time for that late game luck to change in favor of the Algerians.