Portugal and Spain will lock horns for the third time on the world stage in an attractive-looking Round of 16 tie in Dallas.
Round of 16
Tuesday, 7 July | Dallas Stadium
Kick-off time
03:00 (GMT+8)
The match
Group K runners-up Portugal earned their place in the last 16 the hard way with a comeback win against Croatia in Toronto achieved through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and added-time header by Goncalo Ramos. As for Spain, after winning Group H they stepped up a gear in beating Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles, their fluid football rewarded by two Mikel Oyarzabal goals and Pedro Porro’s first for La Roja.
Both nations are among the hosts of the next FIFA World Cup™ in 2030 but this is all about the here and now. Both teams remain unbeaten in North America so something will have to give when their Iberian rivalry is transported to Dallas.
Portugal possible starting XI
Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao
Spain possible starting XI
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
What they said…
“As you know very well, I have a very special affection for Spain. My family is almost Spanish. Spain are always candidates to win any tournament, whether it’s the World Cup, the European Championship, or any other competition. In the end, whoever manages to take advantage of the small details in the match will be the winner. And I hope that team will be Portugal. That’s my feeling, and I believe we will win.” Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain
“Spain are a great side; we both need the ball and we defend with it. We need it to bolster our confidence. I think it will be a match similar to the one in the Nations League. We’ll need character in the match. We need to play with high intensity and make use of the whole squad. Freshness. I think we’ll need everything the substitutes can bring. We respect Spain, but we’re preparing for the match behind closed doors. It’s a shame for Iberian football; I think it could have been a fantastic final.” Roberto Martinez, Portugal manager
“We’re two teams with very similar characteristics. In every respect. Defensively, for one, I think we’re both teams that apply pressure very quickly after losing possession and with great intensity. We win the ball back quickly. And then there’s also the fact that we feel very comfortable on the ball, taking the initiative, maintaining control and playing a passing game. So it’ll come down to which side tips the balance in their favour. It’s going to be a match decided by the finer details. With so many excellent players on the pitch, at any moment the balance that seems to be tipping one way could swing the other. We’re going to try to pay close attention to those details to give ourselves a real chance of winning the match.” Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach
Dallas Stadium
Dallas Stadium is a jaw-dropping example of stadium architecture that will witness nine World Cup 2026 matches in all. Since opening in 2009, it has been the home of five-time Super Bowl winners the Dallas Cowboys, and has also hosted the Concacaf Gold Cup and Mexico national team matches.
This iconic venue has hosted five group-stage games, with highlights including Netherlands and Japan’s enthralling 2-2 draw, England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia and two Lionel Messi-inspired wins for Argentina. It has since been the setting for the Ivory Coast-Norway and Australia-Egypt Round of 16 ties and will conclude its World Cup with the first semi-final on 14 July.