2026-07-01T10:01:06+00:00
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Shafaq News
The World Cup Round of 32 continues on Thursday, July
2 Baghdad time, with the United States facing Bosnia and Herzegovina before
Spain meet Austria.
The US play Bosnia and Herzegovina at 03:00 at San
Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara. Spain face Austria at 22:00 at Los
Angeles Stadium.
The winner of United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
will face Belgium or Senegal in the Round of 16. Spain or Austria will meet
Portugal or Croatia.
United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States enter the knockout stage as Group D
winners and home favorites, but recent upsets have sharpened the warning signs.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side won their first two group
matches to secure early qualification before losing a dead rubber against
Turkiye.
US captain Tim Ream said Bosnia are “in the tournament
for a reason” and warned that one set-piece mistake can decide a knockout
match.
The Americans will rely on Christian Pulisic, Folarin
Balogun, Gio Reyna, and Weston McKennie to break down a Bosnian side expected
to defend compactly and counter.
Bosnia reached the knockouts for the first time after
finishing third in Group B, drawing with Canada, losing to Switzerland, then
beating Qatar. The Dragons are led by 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko, their
all-time top scorer, with Ermedin Demirovic and Kerim Alajbegovic adding threat
in attack.
Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj is another key figure,
especially if the match reaches penalties.
History favors the US, who are unbeaten in four
meetings with Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a 1-0 win in their last clash
in 2021.
Spain vs Austria
Spain enter their match against Austria with one of
the strongest records in the tournament: 34 matches unbeaten and no goals
conceded in 429 World Cup minutes.
Luis de la Fuente’s side topped Group H with seven
points, but their 0-0 draw with Cape Verde showed the old problem remains:
turning possession into goals against deep defenses.
Spain had 74% possession and 27 shots in that match
but could not score, reviving memories of their 2022 penalty exit against
Morocco after another goalless draw. De la Fuente declared that Spain remain
“very strong” defensively but need more ball speed and fluidity.
Meanwhile, Austria, coached by Ralf Rangnick, are
playing their first World Cup knockout match in 44 years after finishing second
in Group J. His side are expected to defend compactly, but Austria’s pressing
structure and physical edge could make the match uncomfortable if Spain move
the ball too slowly.
Spain’s midfield remains their main strength, with
Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi giving De la
Fuente several options, although injuries to Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino have
complicated Spain’s wide options, making Lamine Yamal and the midfield runners
even more important.
The match will be played at Los Angeles Stadium, one
of the tournament’s major venues and the site of a later quarterfinal.