Portugal scored a late winner against Croatia to move into the last 16
Spain won their first World Cup knockout match since 2010 with a 3-0 win over Austria
Recommended bet: Spain to win @ 9/10 with LiveScore Bet
Portugal take on Iberian rivals Spain in this blockbuster World Cup last 16 tie and La Roja will fancy that they have enough quality to move into the quarter-finals.
It took a late winner from Goncalo Ramos against Croatia to seal a 2-1 victory for Portugal, just as the last 32 tie looked to be going into extra-time.
Croatia scored what looked like a last-gasp equaliser, but it was eventually ruled out for offside.
Spain's route to the last 16 was more straightforward. Luis de la Fuente's men eased to a 3-0 win over Austria in what was arguably one of the finest team displays of the tournament thus far.
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Monday July 6th, 8pm kick-off time, AT&T Stadium, Dallas, World Cup 2026 last 16
Where to Watch
BBC One, BBC iPlayer
Outright Odds
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
Spain to win | Spain's last competitive defeat in 90 minutes came against Scotland in March 2023 |
Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime | Oyazabal has scored four goals at the World Cup so far |
Cristiano Ronaldo over 1.5 shots on target | Ronaldo is averaging 1.8 shots on target per-game this tournament |
Marc Cucurella to register an assist | Cucurella has provided two assists at the World Cup |
Spain over 1.5 goals | Spain have scored two or more goals in two of their four games |
Portugal came form behind to defeat Croatia, but Roberto Martinez's side will have to play better if they want to move into the quarterfinals.
Spain, however, have not been beaten over 90 minutes in a competitive fixture since a 2-0 loss to Scotland at Hampden in March 2023.
In the Nations League final last June, Portugal did prevail over their neighbours, but that was on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Furthermore, the last time the Selecao defeated La Roja in 90 minutes came back in November 2010 courtesy of a 4-0 victory.
Spain have won three of their four matches at this World Cup, conceding no goals in the process. Portugal, on the other hand, have won just twice, drawing with DR Congo and Colombia.
The Spanish will be counting on Mikel Oyarzabal to be their main threat in front of goal. He has already scored four times during the competition, netting braces against Saudi Arabia and then Austria in the last 32.
He has scored 16 goals across his last 15 appearances for Spain and he is the best candidate to score anytime in this clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be spearheading Portugal's challenge. The 41-year-old has scored three goals across his four matches, including a penalty against Croatia.
He is averaging 1.8 shots on target per-game during the tournament so far and will be desperate to keep his dream of winning the World Cup alive.
Last time out, Marc Cucurella linked up well with Oyarzabal, providing the 29-year-old forward with two assists against Austria.
Backing him to register another assist against Portugal is certainly a good option, especially as he will enter the match full of confidence.
Spain may have drawn a blank in their opener against Cape Verde, but La Roja have scored eight goals in the subsequent three matches.
Indeed, the Spanish averaged 2.6 goals per-game across their previous three ties in this tournament, so expect them to continue this clinical edge into the last 16.
Team news
Martinez has no fresh injury concerns heading into this last 16 clash with Portugal and it is highly likely that he will go with the same starting XI that defeated Croatia in the previous rounds.
Spain are only missing winger Nico Williams and it remains to be seen whether he will be available for the later rounds should Spain progress.
Alex Baena and Lamine Yamal will continue out on the flanks for De la Fuente's side.
Predicted Team Line-Ups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves; Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte; Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
Stats
Spain have won 10 of their last 14 matches since losing on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final
Spain are looking to make it back-to-back World Cup knockout wins for the first time since the 2010 semi-final and final
Portugal have suffered only one defeat across their last 10 games - a 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 146th international goal in the 2-1 win over Croatia
Mikel Oyarzabal has scored 16 goals in his last 15 matches for Spain
Spain have kept four consecutive clean sheets at the World Cup. Portugal have kept two in their four matches
Unai Simon has gone 519 minutes without conceding at the World Cup, breaking Walter Zenga's record that has stood since the 1990 finals
Marc Cucurella is Spain's assist leader with two in the tournament
Five of the previous seven games between these two teams finished as draws. Three of those ended 0-0.
Score prediction: Portugal 1-2 Spain
The latest Portugal vs Spain odds are available on LiveScore Bet
