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Spain and Portugal clash as Cristiano Ronaldo bids to extend his final World Cup: Live updates
Follow live coverage as fierce rivals Portugal and Spain clash in Dallas for a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Athletic Live Team
July 6, 2026 at 2:28 PM EDT
Portugal vs Spain
Portugal are taking on Spain in Dallas, in one of the most enticing last-16 games at this World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to extend his World Cup career into another match, as European champions Spain chase another trophy
The winners will take on the United States or Belgium in the quarter-finals, on Friday in Los Angeles
- Kick-off: 3pm ET
- TV: Fox
- Join the conversationor email us live@theathletic.com
Only one player in danger of suspension
The yellow cards were wiped after the group stage and the next suspension window closes after the quarter-finals
That means a player that picks up two bookings across the round of 32, last 16 and quarter-finals will be suspended for one game
Only one Portuguese or Spanish player was shown a yellow card in the last round — Ruben Diasis the man walking the tightrope
Who awaits in the quarter-final?
Spain or Portugal figure to be the fancied side against whoever they face in the quarter-final — the winner of the match between the co-hosts United States and Belgium later tonight
That match was already the most hotly anticipated one in U.S. soccer history but has now drawn global scrutiny thanks to the controversial red card issued to USMNT strikerFolarin Balogun in their round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and even-more-controversial suspension of Balogun’s one-game match ban so he could play tonight against Belgium
Oyarzabal typifies under-the-radar Spain
No changes in the Spain starting XI following their excellent victory over Austria in the last-32. It feels like Spain have gone under the radar a bit up until now — Mikel Oyarzabal, their No 9, typifies that
I remember our La Liga correspondent Dermot Corrigan saying in the Nations League final last year, when Oyarzabal was excellent, that he’s probably the lowest-profile player in the Spain squad, partly because he plays for Real Sociedad but also because of his understated personality. Well, he’s got four goals in this World Cup already and Portugal won’t underestimate him
Joao Felix a surprising selection
I’m a bit surprised that Joao Felix starts ahead of Rafael Leao for Portugal
It was Leao’s cross that set up Goncalo Ramos for that dramatic winning goal against Croatia
On that note, it’s no surprise that Ramos is on the bench again, with Ronaldo centre forward. It’ll take more than a goal to displace Ronaldo
Still, as Ramos said after that Croatia game: “When you need a late goal, you can call Goncalo Ramos.” Curious quote, that
Not sure I’ve ever seen more of a single jersey at a game as I’ve seen Ronaldo shirts here in Dallas
Luis de la Fuente, the Spain coach, was asked about Portugal’s strength in that area yesterday at his press conference
💬 “Surely they are very strong on the left side, Portugal, (but) they have a fantastic team all together
“We are going to be careful when we don’t have the ball especially, but we want them to be taking care of our side, whether it’s Pedro (Porro), Lamine, or anyone. I have the full trust in the players that we have so that we can deal with this without any issues.”
Can Spain deal with Nuno Mendes?
Portugal’s left flank caused Spain a lot of problems in the Nations League final last year
Well, to be more precise, Nuno Mendes caused Spain a lot of problems. PSG’s left-back was outstanding in that game, when he scored Portugal’s first, set up a goal for Ronaldo with a deflected cross and, just as significantly, kept Lamine Yamal quiet
The duel between Mendes and Yamal today will be fascinating and could have a big say in the result
Spain need to find a step up
It was also pointed out to De la Fuente yesterday that Rodri said Spain haven’t given the best version of themselves yet. The Spain coach agreed: “What we have shown so far is not enough to win the World Cup. There’s a lot of room for improvement and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Portugal get a feel for surroundings
The Portugal players are currently out on the pitch, chatting in small groups and looking at the surface, which is immaculate
It’s absolutely sweltering outside – you’re desperate to find a spot of shade when queuing to get in – but the roof and the air-conditioning in this stadium means that the heat obviously isn’t a factor for the players
Spain team news: An unchanged XI
Unsurprisingly, Spain go with the same team that started their 3-0 win against Austria
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Portugal team news: Martinez makes one change
Joao Felix starts in place of Rafael Leao in the only change from Portugal’s round-of-32 win against Croatia
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo
Team news expected shortly
We’re expecting FIFA’s email with today’s team news to land shortly
Will Roberto Martinez continue with Cristiano Ronaldo up front, or spring the biggest surprise of the tournament by turning instead to last week’s goalscorer Goncalo Ramos?
Good afternoon from Dallas!
Our first sight of Cristiano Ronaldo as footage flashes up on the huge screens in the stadium of the Portugal team leaving the team hotel. Not that many people in here at the moment – there’s still two hours until kick-off – but a big cheer for Ronaldo nonetheless
Possession vs counter — the chess match
Spain will do what Spain do: monopolise the ball, stretch Portugal through Lamine Yamal on the right and probe patiently for passes between the lines, trusting Pedri and Rodri to dictate the tempo
Portugal’s response depends on their own gifted midfield matching that control. Vitinha and Joao Neves against Pedri and Fabian Ruiz is the game within the game, while Portugal will also look to exploit Spain’s high line in transition, where Ronaldo still lurks and Pedro Neto offers pace
The flank to watch is Portugal’s unsettled right-back slot, with Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot and Nelson Semedo all in contention
With Nico Williams sidelined from the start because of an adductor injury, Dani Olmo is tipped to start on the left, looking to drift inside and overload midfield, while the in-form Mikel Oyarzabal leads the line
Ronaldo’s milestones and a nation’s quest
For Portugal, the framing is unavoidable: win it for Cristiano
At 41, in what Ronaldo himself has said is his final World Cup, he is chasing the one prize that has eluded a glittering career — and Portugal carry both the burden of that quest and the label of contenders
So far, their talisman is delivering. Ronaldo has scored four goals in three games, becoming the first man to score at six different World Cups
Portugal have the midfield to control almost anyone, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves, as well as a left flank of real quality in Nuno Mendes. But they have yet to fully convince, drawing with DR Congo and Colombia before riding their luck to edge past Croatia
Ronaldo, for his part, has tipped Spain as title favourites — a classic bit of reverse-jinxing — while promising Portugal will be ready
Ronaldo not feeling the World Cup pressure
In Portugal’s pre-match press conference in Arlington, Texas, yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldo said he is at peace, regardless of whether this proves to be his final World Cup match or his last chance to win the trophy that has eluded him throughout his career
💬 “I am not going to be more Cristiano for winning the World Cup, or be less Cristiano if I don’t win the World Cup. I leave here with a clear conscience. Not 100 percent, but 1,000 percent.”
More from Patrick Iversen as Ronaldo faced the media
GO FURTHER
Cristiano Ronaldo thanks his detractors: ‘It is from the biggest criticisms that we grow the most’
Ronaldo claims this is his last World Cup
In his pre-match press conference yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldosaid he considers this his “last World Cup” — a notable statement from the 41-year-old Portugal captain, even if it was expected
Ronaldo made clear, however, that he has no immediate plans to retire from football altogether
Two things are worth keeping in mind. First, Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi said before and after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup final that it would be his last appearance at the tournament — and Messi is not only still playing for Argentina, but is also tied for the most goals at this World Cup so far
Second, Portugal will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Morocco
GO FURTHER
Cristiano Ronaldo thanks his detractors: ‘It is from the biggest criticisms that we grow the most’
The Spanish fans are already in the party mood ahead of today’s game
Kick-off is two hours away and team news should drop in a little over 30 minutes
Prediction: Portugal 1-1 Spain
Expect it to be close. In their past seven meetings stretching back to 2012, six have been draws with the other edged 1-0 by Spain with an 88th-minute winner
I’ll go for 1-1 after extra time and Portugal to win on penalties
