Spain and Portugal will renew their Iberian rivalry in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 at Dallas Stadium on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8:00 PM BST.
Spain advanced to the knockout stage with a dominant 3-0 victory over Austria, extending their unbeaten streak to 34 matches.
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Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, and Pedro Porro added a third with a header.
Portugal secured their spot by staging a 2-1 comeback win against Croatia. Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty, and Goncalo Ramos scored a 94th-minute match-winning header.
De la Fuente on Yamal vs. Mendes
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente discussed the tactical battle between Spanish forward Lamine Yamal and Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes.
Yamal previously called Mendes his toughest opponent.
"He has faced him with his club and his country.
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In that process of development that Lamine is still in, he knows that it is the big games against great opponents that lay down a marker," said De la Fuente.
The Spanish coach emphasized the maturation of his young forward since their previous encounters.
"Lamine is not the player he was a year ago; he's another player, more mature, more assured, he reads the games better," De la Fuente added.
De la Fuente encouraged Yamal to stay true to his style. "Be yourself, enjoy football, with the responsibility that comes with it," he said.
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Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has a fully fit squad, while Spain faces injury doubts over forwards Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, and Victor Munoz.
