Two of Europe’s heaviest nations meet in what is perhaps the most magnificent showdown of the last eight. Portugal and Spain clash at AT&T Stadium on Monday night – and only one can advance to the quarterfinals, where the winner of the USA-Belgium awaits.
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Both nations arrive at the match in strong form – but now there is no mercy.
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Portugal secured their place in the last eight after a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia. They thought they were heading for extra time when Josko Gvardiol equalised in injury time – but the technology revealed a subtle offside in the build-up, and the Portuguese held off.
Spain, on the other hand, progressed comfortably with a 3-0 win over Austria. Luis de la Fuentes’ men have built one of the tournament’s most complete facets: three straight wins, unbeaten in the championship – and they are the only team yet to concede a single goal.
The nations know each other very well, and the last meetings have often been close and even – including Portugal’s penalty shootout victory in the Nations League final in 2025.
Team news
Portugal has a fully available squad. Roberto Martínez is expected to rely on the team that beat Croatia – Cristiano Ronaldo leads the attack, with Gonçalo Ramos as a substitute. Pedro Neto retains his place on the right wing ahead of Bernardo Silva and Francisco Conceição, while Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão pose the attacking threat.
Spain have few injury problems. Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Aymeric Laporte have had their workload reduced in training, but are expected to be ready. Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino are out with injuries – but neither is believed to be long-term.
Probable line-ups
Portugal (XI): Costa – Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes – Vitinha, Neves – Neto, Fernandes, Leão – Ronaldo
Spain (XI): Simón – Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri, Pedri – Yamal, Olmo, Baena – Oyarzabal
Kick-off: Monday 6 July at 20:00 BST
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Key figures
- Spain are unbeaten at the 2026 World Cup – and have not conceded a single goal in four games
- Mikel Oyarzabal has 23 goal points in his last 16 starts for Spain
- Spain didn’t let a single shot on target against Austria in the 3-0 win
- La Roja scored three goals in a World Cup playoff match for the first time since 1994
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup playoff goal against Croatia
- Gonçalo Ramos has an average of one goal every 37 minutes in the World Cup – the best of the Portuguese with at least five involvements
- Both Portugal and Spain have over 60 percent possession in the tournament on average
- Spain have lost only seven of 41 previous meetings with Portugal
Our Prediction
This has all the ingredients for a classic. Portugal have enough quality to cause problems for any defence – especially with Ronaldo, Fernandes and Leão up front. But Spain have looked more balanced throughout the tournament.
Their defensive line has been outstanding, and Oyarzabal, Yamal and Olmo pose a constant attacking threat. This will be a close and even match – but Spain has just that little extra.
Divination: Portugal 1-2 Spain
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