Live: Ronaldo confirms last World Cup as Portugal meets Spain

ABC News

SportsABC News·Jul 6, 2026·6 min read

Live: Ronaldo confirms last World Cup as Portugal meets Spain

Portugal takes on Spain in a clash between two Iberian neighbours in Dallas, Texas.

Later, the last-remaining co-host, the USA, takes on Belgium after the controversial reinstatement of striker Folarin Balogun.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:56am

Live updates: Portugal vs Spain

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Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:54am

HT: Tight contest in Dallas

By Simon Smale

It's not been a classic so far, I think that's fair to say.

Both teams have had their chances, and neither team has made the most of them.

It's 0-0 at the break — a goal would truly open things up but at the moment, one of those looks a fair way away.

A tense tussle in Jerry's World.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:48am

45+2' Horrible miss from Yamal

By Simon Smale

Oh dear.

Spain don't have their shooting boots today.

Yamal was offside, the flag going up typically late as is the manner these days, but he didn't know that at the time.

He is played in by Porro again and his shot is just a poke, the ball blasted wide.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:47am

45' Half-chance Spain

By Simon Smale

That's a poor option from Rodri, driving a shot well over the bar.

Pedro Porro is blowing up at Rodri for not keeping hold of the all and keeping the pressure up.

There will be six more minutes at the end of this first half, by the way.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:45am

44' Ronaldo the target

By Simon Smale

Lovely cross towards Cristiano Ronaldo from deep there, but Unai Simón is there to gather.

Portugal have had a good spell over the last 10 minutes or so. I think they're just edging things at the moment.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:43am

41' OFF THE BAR FROM PORTUGAL

By Simon Smale

Goodness!

Nuno Mendes lets fly with a thunderbolt from outside the area Pedro Porro gets his head to it and that deflects the ball onto the crossbar!

Could have gone anywhere.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:41am

40' Boot swap for Pedro Neto

By Simon Smale

Pedro Neto needs a new set of tyres as his boot is ripped open at the back.

Remarkably, it appears that his boot has a hole in the back - and that's the new one.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:39am

37' Brilliant stop!

By Simon Smale

Portugal are so close!

Unai Simón comes and only half-blocks as João Félix flicks a long cross from the right back inside to the penalty area.

Ronaldo is there and he makes an incredibly inventive flick with his back to goal, but Simón dives full stretch to deny the Portuguese superstar.

That's a very good chance, Simón gets a little bit lucky there.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:34am

34' Chance Spain!

By Simon Smale

Dani Olmo has just raced in past the defence to the front post and whipped in a cross that flies along the edge of the six yard box and away.

He has been very good so far, Olmo.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:33am

31' CHANCE SPAIN!

By Simon Smale

Diogo Costa has to make an inventive save after a long ball forward evades everyone — Pau Cubarsí racing in and making life difficult for the Portuguese keeper.

There is a follow-up header from Dani Olmo, but it's just wide - and he was offside when the ball game in.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:30am

29' Chance Spain

By Simon Smale

Oh my word that was close.

Dani Olmo played a gorgeous-looking ball forwards towards Lamine Yamal, and had it managed to get through the gap between the two furiously backtracking defenders, it would have likely been a one-on-one with the keeper for the Barcelona man.

However, the Portugal defence did so well, sliding and just about closing the gap.

What a block.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:27am

Portugal are a really good team

By Simon Smale

Ronaldo offering next to nothing at this stage. Doesn’t create space, token defensive pressure

- Alex

But their biggest weakness at the moment is the man who has been a legend for them for so long.

I don't think he's been as bad in this game as he has in some of the others at this World Cup, he has had a look at goal and got a shot away.

But the rest of the team is so dynamic and exciting.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:24am

22' Free kick Spain

By Simon Smale

In a really dangerous position, on the left side, 5 metres in from the sideline, about 20 metres from the byline, after Álex Baena was fouled.

The first cross was blocked, but Pedro Porro has a dig from distance that flies well wide.

It's time for the TV timeout.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:18am

16' DOUBLE CHANCE SPAIN!

By Simon Smale

Oh my word!

Nuno Mendes almost gets in at one end for Portugal, but as he was up field, Spain used the chance to release Yamal up the other end.

He cuts inside from the right and forces a really good save from Unai Simón with a curling shot. But then Simón has to be even better to save a follow-up shot from the left by Álex Baena.

That's a spectacular piece of football, really.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:15am

14' Wild miss from Spain

By Simon Smale

My word, Álex Baena nearly kicked that one out of the stadium — some achievement in Dallas, which has a closed roof.

Spain moved the ball nicely to the left, he cut back inside and had a swipe from the edge of the area, the ball ballooning away into the distance.

Woeful attempt, to be honest.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:12am

12' Ronaldo!

By Simon Smale

Cristiano Ronaldo gets wide on the edge of the penalty area, takes a step over and then powers a shot towards the Spanish goal, which is saved comfortably and turned behind for a corner.

First big chance for the veteran.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:11am

10' Ronaldo goes down in the penalty area

By Simon Smale

He looks at Anthony Taylor, who gives the Portuguese legend a cursory glance before backing off.

Ronaldo, on his backside, throws out his arms as Portugal try to recycle the ball and keep the attack going.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:10am

8' BIG CHANCE SPAIN!

By Simon Smale

Mikel Oyarzabal was played in after some lively one-touch football in midfield by the Spanish team and raced through one-on-one with the keeper.

The flag stayed down — his run was timed perfectly— but he scuffs his shot wide.

Poor effort from the Real Sociedad striker — that should have been the opener.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:08am

7' Chance Portugal

By Simon Smale

That's a lovely break from Portugal, the ball being switched to the right fullback João Cancelo, who goes on an adventure up field and unleashes a monster of a drive from distance that fizzes over the top of the crossbar.

Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 5:04am

3' Spain has the first shot

By Simon Smale

It's Mikel Oyarzabal who lets fly from distance, well gathered by Diogo Costa.

Spain wins the ball back as Portugal looks to play out, but nothing come of it.

Portugal can't afford to be sloppy.

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