Portugal will play Spain in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup after edging Croatia 2-1 in their round-of-32 match on Friday.
Portugal’s reward for their narrow win over Croatia is a major Iberian derby against Spain, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals at stake.
The two European sides will meet on Monday, 6 July, at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, Texas, as the tournament continues across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Portugal reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group 11 with five points. Their group campaign included draws against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia, as well as a victory over Uzbekistan.
The side then progressed from the round of 32 with a 2-1 win over Croatia, ensuring their World Cup campaign will continue into the last 16.
Portugal’s clash with Spain is expected to attract widespread attention, bringing together two neighbouring nations with squads containing some of European football’s biggest names.
Ronaldo seeks first World Cup title
Portugal are led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing in the World Cup for the sixth time in his career.
The forward is hoping to guide his country further in the competition and win the World Cup for the first time.
Portugal’s progression has kept that ambition alive, although Spain will represent one of their most difficult tests of the tournament so far.
The last-16 meeting will also revive a recent final between the two nations.
Portugal and Spain met in the UEFA Nations League final last year, when Portugal won 5-3 on penalties after the match ended 2-2.
That victory gave Portugal the title, but the World Cup meeting will carry even greater significance, with the losing side eliminated from the tournament.
Dallas hosts Iberian derby
The Portugal-Spain fixture is scheduled to begin at 22:00 Mecca, Egypt and Jerusalem time, and 20:00 Maghreb time.
The match will be played at Dallas Stadium, which will host the two teams in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter.
Portugal will arrive with confidence after surviving a close contest against Croatia, while Spain will seek to stop Ronaldo and his team-mates from advancing further.
The winner will move into the quarter-finals, where they will face either the United States or Belgium.
That potential route adds another layer of importance to the match, as both Portugal and Spain aim to build momentum during the knockout phase.
Portugal’s World Cup schedule
Portugal’s route in the tournament has included a tightly contested group stage and a narrow knockout victory.
They drew with the Democratic Republic of Congo, defeated Uzbekistan and drew against Colombia to finish second in their group on five points.
Their 2-1 win over Croatia on Friday secured their place in the last 16, where Spain now await.
Portugal’s next match will be shown on beIN Sports Max channels, with the team looking to extend their campaign and keep Ronaldo’s hopes of a first World Cup triumph alive.
