Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz said Thursday it was his team's "duty" to ensure another African side reached the World Cup round of 16 after a string of knockout defeats for teams from the continent.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended the technology that ruled out Croatia's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against his side, saying the "chip" inside the match ball left no room for debate, while Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic lamented that VAR is stripping football of its emotion.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and Portugal's Roberto Martinez paid tribute on Friday to Luka Modric, who almost certainly played his last World Cup match.

Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the "match of our lives" but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday's last 32 clash.

Spain star Lamine Yamal said Thursday he was delighted with his team's performance in their 3-0 win in the World Cup last 32 against Austria -- but admitted he would have liked to score.

Cristiano Ronaldo described Portugal's tribute to the late Diogo Jota as "a special moment" after his side secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his World Cup knockout scoring drought as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 after extra-long stoppage time in a dramatic Round of 32 clash in Toronto, booking a last-16 meeting with Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout goal before Goncalo Ramos struck a dramatic 94th-minute winner as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a chaotic Round of 32 clash in Toronto, with heartbreak for the Croatians deep into an extended spell of stoppage time.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke his long-standing World Cup knockout duck after converting a penalty to bring Portugal level at 1-1 against Croatia in their Round of 32 clash in Toronto today, on an emotional occasion that coincided with the first death anniversary of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for another World Cup record when Portugal take on Croatia in their Round of 32 clash in Toronto today, with the occasion carrying added emotional weight as it coincides with the first death anniversary of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

Spain coasted past Austria and into the World Cup last-16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.

It is almost certainly the "last dance" on the global stage for two icons of the modern era, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

When the road becomes winding, when the lights seem blinding, and when the way forward disappears from view, Kane somehow finds it.

Bos will be expected to play a key part when Australia face Mohamed Salah's Egypt in Texas in the last 32 with both countries looking to make a piece of history.

Paqueta, who has started alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, suffered the injury during Brazil's dramatic 2-1 win over Japan in Houston on Monday.

Long before packed stadiums and international acclaim, Luis Diaz was simply a child fascinated by anything that could roll beneath his feet.

The news was announced at the end of his post-match press conference

Spain march into their World Cup last 32 clash against Austria at the SoFi Stadium tonight on the back of an unbeaten run of 34 matches, a defence yet to be breached and an old question still nagging away – what happens when all that possession runs into a locked door?

Watch today's episode of Fever Pitch to find out more

Watch today's episode of Fever Pitch to find out more