2026 FIFA World Cup: Spain seek revenge against Portugal

Spain will be going into the round of 16 tie against Portugal with the aim of progressing to the quarterfinals and avenging the team that beat them in the UEFA Nations League trophy last time out.

The Iberian adversaries go head-to-head in the standout fixture of the AT&T Stadium on Monday, with flashes of brilliance expected from both teams.

Roberto Martínez’s side scraped through via a mammoth scare to defeat Croatia 2-1 in their round of 32  game, while Luis de la Fuente’s men enjoyed a simpler 3-0 stroll against Austria in the last 32.

Ronald, who is probably playing his last World Cup, is still dreaming of lifting the trophy at the expense of his fellow all-time great Luka Modric.

Portugal will have to overcome the last-16 curse, which has bedeviled them in recent times, against a classy side like Spain.

The Seleção will hope to beat La Roja and continue their World Cup runs, having ended in the last 16 in 2010 and 2018, matching their Euro 2020 journey before back-to-back quarter-final exits at the 2022 and 2024 editions of the European championships.

Spain will want to end their bad record at the knockout stage, having delivered a convincing performance against  Austria, which remarkably marked their first non-group stage win at the World Cup since Andrés Iniesta’s winner secured the 2010 trophy against the Netherlands.

Although many can score from the squad, Spain will also be relying on Mikel Oyarzabal, who has now had 23 goal involvements from his last 16 starts.

The Real Sociedad striker’s goals from either side of a Pedro Porro header got the job done in the last 32 for the champions, having scored in their last two games.

The 3-0  victory sees Spain score multiple goals in a World Cup knockout game for the first time since 1994.

Apart from the scoreless draw against World Cup debutant Cape Verde, Spain are on a three-game triumphant streak at the World Cup with a defense that has unexpectedly taken more of the plaudits than their offense, having kept their opponents at bay so far.

 De la Fuente’s side and Mexico are the only sides yet to concede a goal at the tournament, as the tactician is expected to maintain a vertical, intense, and high-tempo approach with a base system of 4-3-3.

The formation also comes with variations to 4-2-3-1, executed at high speed with quick transitions and a constant use of wide forwards to stretch defenses.

Portugal are expected to produce a tougher test for the European champions. Martinez’s men will threaten the backline of Spain, which did not face a single shot on target against Austria.

On head-to-head record,  Spain could bank on their historical edge over Portugal. They lost just seven of their previous 41 battles, with one of those defeats coming via penalties in the 2024-25 Nations League.

You don’t change a winning team, they say. Martinez has no injury worries. He is therefore expected to stick with his starting line-up as he is unlikely to axe Ronaldo from the first XI despite the 41-year-old’s reaction to his substitution in the last-32 win over Croatia.

Ramos, who came in for Ronaldo, could just be handy for Spain as the AC Milan new signing averages a goal or assist every 37 minutes at the World Cup, the best ratio of any Portugal player with five or more involvements.

Spain’s impenetrable defense, therefore faces its toughest examination yet in Arlington, where midfield battles should take center stage between the two teams who both average over 60% possession at the 2026 World Cup.

This will surely be a top clash with the tiniest of margins determining the outcome.