- 1 Portugal vs Spain : the Iberian showdown that could swing the World Cup
- 2 Portugal survived a proper scare
- 3 Spain are rolling along with a strange calm
- 4 Likely line-ups :
- 5 World Cup 2026 prediction : Portugal vs Spain
- 6 First, a word on our predictions
- 7 No commitment from us
- 8 Information can change
- 9 Your role
- 10 Responsible gambling comes first
- 11 Legal age
- 12 About the images
Portugal vs Spain : the Iberian showdown that could swing the World Cup 
It does not get much bigger for a last-16 tie. Portugal against Spain in Dallas, with a quarter-final spot on the line. Two neighbours, two title contenders, two teams who know each other far too well to spend long sussing each other out.
La Roja arrive with a defence still untouched at this World Cup. Four games, four clean sheets. Portugal have had to ride their luck against Croatia, but they are still standing. And while Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Goncalo Ramos are around, nobody can really sleep easy.
Portugal survived a proper scare 
The Seleccao did not stroll through the last round. Trailing Croatia, Portugal had to dig in right to the end to avoid another early exit. Cristiano Ronaldo levelled it, Goncalo Ramos then popped up in stoppage time, and after that a Croatia goal was ruled out in a finish that must have shredded a few nerves.
That kind of win leaves a mark, but it can also bind a squad together. Roberto Martinez has seen his side bend without breaking, which is no small thing heading into Spain. Ronaldo has finally scored in a World Cup knockout game, Ramos keeps making himself count off the bench, and Bruno Fernandes still has that knack for spotting a pass nobody else sees.
Portugal will need to be much sharper in possession, though. Against La Roja, giving the ball away too deep or sitting back for too long can turn nasty in a hurry.
Spain are rolling along with a strange calm 
Spain still have not conceded. Four matches, four clean sheets, and barely a real scare. Austria were brushed aside 3-0 in the last round and did not even manage a shot on target. That is probably the clearest summary of Spain’s tournament so far: plenty of control, not much panic.
Mikel Oyarzabal has emerged as the main man in attack with four goals. His brace against Austria underlined his current form. Around him, La Roja are doing what La Roja do: plenty of the ball, an aggressive press after losing it, and tidy passing patterns to stretch opponents.
Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino remain doubts, but Luis de la Fuente has enough options to keep the team intact. Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Pedro Porro were managed in training, but there does not appear to be any real danger over their availability.
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Likely line-ups :
Portugal : Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Neto, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo
Spain : Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
World Cup 2026 prediction : Portugal vs Spain
Both teams to score
Spain are still yet to concede in this World Cup, but Portugal are easily their toughest test so far. The Seleccao have enough individual quality to crack a tight defence, even in a cagey game. Ronaldo is still a box threat, Bruno Fernandes can split a line with one pass, and Goncalo Ramos gives them a nasty option if the match opens up.
At the other end, La Roja come in full of attacking confidence after their 3-0 win over Austria. Oyarzabal is in superb form, Lamine Yamal can unbalance any defender in a one-v-one, and Spain should enjoy enough long spells of possession to build pressure.
Games between these two are usually tight, but they are rarely dull. Portugal will have to score if they want to get past Spain, and La Roja have the tools to hit back. In that context, “both teams to score” looks like the best angle.
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