Portugal face Spain as Ronaldo begins World Cup farewell

Portugal take on Spain this evening in one of the standout ties of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line and Cristiano Ronaldo confirming the tournament will be his last in national team colours.

The Iberian rivals meet at the 94,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm local time (8pm in Portugal).

For Spain, the objective could hardly be clearer. The reigning European champions have only one thing on their minds – beating Portugal and extending their flawless World Cup campaign.

Spain have yet to concede a goal in the tournament and cruised into the last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Austria, inspired by a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal. Portugal, meanwhile, needed a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Gonçalo Ramos to edge past Croatia 2-1.

The match also revives one of international football’s fiercest rivalries. Portugal have never eliminated Spain in the knockout stages of either the World Cup or the European Championship. Their most painful defeat came in the 2010 World Cup round of 16, when a goal from David Villa sent Portugal home before Spain went on to lift their only World Cup title.

Portugal did, however, gain revenge last year by defeating Spain on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final after a 2-2 draw, lifting the trophy in Munich.

Now, Roberto Martínez is aiming to guide Portugal into the World Cup quarter-finals for only the fourth time, following runs in 1966, 2006 and 2022.

“It will be my last World Cup”

Adding extra emotion to the occasion is the confirmation from captain Cristiano Ronaldo that this will be his final World Cup.

Speaking ahead of the Spain clash, the 41-year-old ended weeks of speculation by saying: “I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest. It will be my last World Cup.”

Although he insisted the subject should not overshadow the team’s ambitions, Ronaldo acknowledged the tournament marks the end of an extraordinary World Cup journey spanning two decades.

“I’ll stop when I want. I’m the one who decides,” he said, after dismissing repeated questions about his international future.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also stressed that winning the World Cup would not define his legacy.

“Regardless of what happens, I won’t be more Cristiano if I win the World Cup. I want to enjoy the moment. God has been generous to me and I lack nothing.”

Ronaldo believes Portugal have improved with each match and expects another demanding contest against a Spanish side he described as “very difficult”.

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