Portugal and Spain meet in an Iberian battle for a spot in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals on Monday at 8pm (UK time).
This will be an intriguing battle between two of the last three European champions, with a quarter-final spot on the line. Portugal haven’t been totally convincing at the World Cup, though they did get through a tough match last time out. They finished second in their group with just one win from three games, drawing the other two. That set up a last-32 tie against Croatia which has been heralded as one of the best games of the tournament so far. There was a lot of late drama, including Portugal’s eventually winner and a controversial disallowed goal, but Roberto Martinez’s side eventually made it through.
Spain opened their World Cup with what appeared to be a disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde — though the African side proved to be a surprise package of the tournament. La Roja bounced back emphatically, though, winning their next two games without conceding to top the group. Spain still haven’t conceded at the World Cup, one of two sides to have kept four clean sheets so far. Their fourth came in a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria in the last-32.
Spain have enjoyed the upperhand in their meetings with rivals Portugal, winning 18 of the 41 games to date, alongside 16 draws. This will be their third clash at a World Cup, with a 3-3 draw in 2018 the most-recent.
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Portugal vs Spain team news
Portugal team news
Martinez made the bold call in changing his attack last time out. Rafael Leao replaced Joao Felix on the left wing, and he may keep his spot, with Pedro Neto on the right. Bernardo Silva appears to have fallen out of favour having started Portugal’s first game at the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to lead the line, having opened the scoring against Croatia. Goncalo Ramos did come off the bench to score the winner, once Ronaldo had been taken off. But he is expected to remain on the bench again. Bruno Fernandes will continue in the No.10, with Joao Neves and Vitinha in the deeper midfield roles.
Portugal’s defence should remain unchanged too. Nuno Mendes and Joao Cancelo have started all four games so far as left-back and right-back, respectively. Ruben Dias missed the first game but has started every match since. He’ll partner Renato Veiga at centre-back. Diogo Costa is Portugal’s No.1 and will continue in goal.
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Spain team news
Luis de le Fuente was able to rest a couple of players late on in the win over Austria, so he may not feel the need to rotate here. But there are still a few positions up for grabs. The Spain boss has alternated in his use of Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro at right-back, with the latter starting last time out. So Llorente may get the nod here, with Marc Cucurella remaining at left-back.
The center-back pairing will stay the season with Pau Cubarsi partnering Aymeric Laporte. Unai Simon will start in goal. Dani Olmo started his second game of the World Cup in a more advanced role in the midfield. But Fabian Ruiz could come in to give Spain more control against a tougher opponent. Rodri and Pedri have started every game so far.
Lamine Yamal is a guaranteed starter on the right wing, while Mikel Oyarzabal has led the line. Alex Baena appears to have made the left-wing spot his own, particularly with Nico Williams still an injury doubt. The front line should stay the same from the win over Austria.
Portugal vs Spain predicted lineups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; J Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo.
Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.
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