Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at the Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S before the Round of 16 Portugal v Spain match.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Spain and Portugal will drag a year’s worth of ‌Iberian needle into the Texas heat on Monday (July 6, 2026), when the World Cup round of 16 serves up a rematch of last year’s Nations League final and a ⁠clash of generations between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal.

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Portugal won that final on penalties after a 2-2 draw, spoiling Spain’s attempt to defend their title and add another trophy to the European Championship crown they had ‌claimed a year earlier.

For Luis de la Fuente’s side, it remains the one blot on an otherwise gleaming three-year run that began with the 2023 Nations League ‌title and has now stretched to 34 matches unbeaten.