One battle that would be an interesting watch will be between ESP's Lamine Yamal and POR's Nuno Mendes. The Portuguese left-back is one of the best full-backs in Europe and he will be tested tonight against the continent's brightest talents.
One battle that would be an interesting watch will be between ESP's Lamine Yamal and POR's Nuno Mendes. The Portuguese left-back is one of the best full-backs in Europe and he will be tested tonight against the continent's brightest talents.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 27'
Slight boos from the crowd as EPL ref Anthony Taylor points towards the benches as we hit hydration break at Dallas.
Rodrid passes to Lamine Yamal, who cuts in on his left foot and compels Unai Simon to make a save. Alex Baena seizes the rebound, but Simon is once more present.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 17'
Pedri has the ball snatched off his toe by Bruno Fernandes. He goes quickly to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal win a corner.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 12'
One would bet his/her house on Mikel Oyarzabal scoring but the Spanish forward slides it wide. ESP could regret that.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 9'
Portugal spring into action as Joao Cancelo glides up the pitch and hammers one towards goal but it sails over the top.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 8'
In-form Mikel Oyarzabal wins the ball in the Portugal half and decides to test the hands of Diogo Costa. The POR goalie saves.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 4'
Here we go. Let's hope for a cracker.
The usual pre-match routine is in full flow in Dallas as the teams make the long walk to the centre circle.
The huge Spain and Portugal flags are laid out on the pitch.
National Anthems done, action soon.
“Spain is always a contender to win the Euros, the Nations League; they have already won this competition,” he said.
“Spain is the favourite. They have more titles than Portugal, but this is a different competition with different players. There are injuries; there’s the heat.
“I like playing against Spain. My record is quite good. I’ve played them 10 or 11 times, and it’s quite balanced. It will be won on small details. I have this feeling we are going to win.
“What I have to do is enjoy it if it’s my last World Cup, and it’s not going to be my last match at a World Cup because I want to continue onward.”
Supporters of the World Cup returning from Dallas Stadium, the FIFA Fan Fest, or other viewing parties after today's knockout game between Portugal and Spain might encounter rain and mild thunderstorms.
July 10: France vs Morocco at 1.30 AM IST
July 11: Portugal/Spain vs USA/Belgium at 12.30 AM IST
July 12: Norway vs England at 2.30 AM IST
July 12: Argentina/Egypt vs Switzerland/Colombia at 6.30 AM IST
Portugal XI: Diogo Costa, Dias, Veiga, Cancelo, Medes, Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Felix, Neto, Ronaldo.
Subs: Sa, Rui Silva, Semedo, Araujo, Dalot, Inacio, Samu Costa, Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves, Ramos, Trincao, Leao, Guedes, Conceicao.
Spain XI: Simon, Porro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella, Baena, Rodri, Pedri, Olmo, Oyarzabal, Yamal.
Subs: Raya, Joan Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, Torres, Pino, Williams, Munoz, Iglesias.
Portugal's Goncalo Ramos has netted four goals and provided one assist in merely 170 minutes of play during the knockout stage of the World Cup. His rate of one goal involvement every 34 minutes in this phase of the tournament stands as the highest on record (since 1966) for any player who has achieved at least three goal involvements.
The direct competition history between these two teams reveals remarkably close encounters consistently, with four of their most recent matchups ending in draws.
Portugal secured the second position in Group J, accumulating five points, having decisively defeated Uzbekistan while drawing with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia. In the round of 32, they controversially managed to overcome Croatia, recovering from a goal deficit to achieve a 2-1 victory.
Spain finished first in Group H, accumulating seven points by defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, while drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde. In the round of 32, they decisively overcame Austria with a score of 3-0. La Roja remains unbeaten in their last 34 matches (W25 D9), just one match away from matching their record unbeaten streak of 35, which was established between February 2007 and June 2009.
Norway secured their spot in the quarterfinals with an impressive 2-1 victory against Brazil. Erling Haaland was the standout performer, scoring a remarkable double, while Neymar responded with a late penalty, marking the conclusion of his career with the Selecao. Norway will now meet England in the quarterfinal on Saturday in Miami, following the Three Lions' thrilling 3-2 triumph over Mexico in a dramatic encounter in Mexico City.
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