Spain and Portugal Meet in World Cup Last-16 Match in Dallas

Cristiano Ronaldo trained on Sunday ahead of Portugal's World Cup last-16 match against Spain on Monday evening in Dallas. The Iberian neighbors have met 43 times, including five prior encounters at major tournaments. Ronaldo played every minute of Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo, scored twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan to become the first man with goals at six World Cups, and completed the full 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Colombia.

Portugal finished second in Group K. In the round of 16 against Croatia, Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for offside, converted a penalty, and was substituted in the 81st minute before Goncalo Ramos scored the stoppage-time winner. Spain enter unbeaten in their last 34 matches with 25 wins and nine draws, one short of their record run of 35 matches from 2007 to 2009.

The team posted an average expected goals difference of +1.80 per game through the group stage and dominated possession in all four matches. Lamine Yamal, who turned 18 this year, played 141 minutes across the group stage, scored against Saudi Arabia, and started against Austria after recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury suffered with Barcelona in April.

Roberto Martinez said after the Croatia match: "We know Spain very well and they know us very well too.

I think it's going to be a fantastic match. Two teams that want the ball, that want to attack, recover possession quickly and create chances. " Spain defeated Austria in the round of 32 after Pedro Porro replaced Marcos Llorente at right back.

Portugal last defeated Spain in a competitive match in the 2004 Euros group stage. The sides drew 3-3 in the 2018 World Cup and Portugal won the 2025 UEFA Nations League final on penalties after Ronaldo scored.