Spain v Portugal LIVE: Team news updates as Ronaldo and Yamal start blockbuster World Cup 2026 last 16 clash

While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower.

Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective, well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.

Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal

Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo

Luis de la Fuente is unbeaten across his first 11 matches at either the World Cup or Euros wint 10 wins and one draw.

His Spain side have conceded just four goals in that run.

“We’ve trained well and we’ve prepared well for the game. We’re going to face a tough team, but we’re ready.

“It’s been a good experience and we’re improving. We know it’s impossible to play well every game and it’s a tough competition.

“You only need look at who have been knocked out to see that.”

“I’m always body and soul to help the national team. Playing or not playing, I will always have an important role.

“I’ll finish when I want to, not when you want me to. It’s a waste of time to keep asking that question.

“But I don’t want to turn my attention to that. The most important thing is (the game against Spain on Monday).”

La Roja are unbeaten in their last 34 matches (25 wins, nine draws), one shy of equalling their longest-ever unbeaten run of 35 set between February 2007 and June 2009.

Only Italy, with 37 between 2018 and 2021, have enjoyed a longer unbeaten run among European nations.

The Spanish goalkeeper said: “We have to focus on our game, without forgetting that Portugal beat us in the Nations League.

“We know we have to play a great game, without lapses in concentration. Ronaldo is not the same player he was a few years ago, but he is still lethal in the box.

“We have to keep him as far away from the area as possible.”

The Portugal boss spoke about how his team will take on Spain this evening: “We have a lot of respect for our opponents. Spain are a very good team with a clear idea. The two teams like to have the ball.

“Tomorrow, we have to defend well when we don’t have the play and control the transitions. I expect the same kind of game as the Nations League final, that finished 2-2.”

Having kept Morocco scoreless before their penalty-shootout exit in the round of 16 in 2022, Spain could become the first side in World Cup history to keep six successive clean sheets if they shut out Portugal.

They are yet to concede in the 2026 edition of the tournament having kept clean sheets against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Austria.