World Cup 2026: Portugal vs Spain lineups – Milan’s Leao on the bench as Ronaldo leads the line | OneFootball

Two of the tournament favourites meet in a heavyweight clash, with Milan winger Rafael Leao dropped to the bench as Portugal vs Spain continues the World Cup round of 16 ties.

Leao, whose Milan future has been the subject of intense speculation this summer, was predicted to line up on the left of Portugal’s attack behind Cristiano Ronaldo, himself a former Serie A star from his three seasons at Juventus.

However, Roberto Martinez has opted instead to start Joao Felix alongside Ronaldo in attack.

The Portugal side is steeped in Italian pedigree elsewhere too: right-back Joao Cancelo previously turned out for both Inter and Juventus, captain Bruno Fernandes played in Serie A with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria, and centre-back Renato Veiga spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus before his move to Villarreal.

Spain, by contrast, field a side drawn almost entirely from LaLiga and the Premier League, with no current or former Serie A men in their predicted XI, a reminder of where the balance of Spanish talent currently sits.

Luis de la Fuente’s team still carry a formidable spine, from Rodri and Pedri in midfield to teenage star Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal up top.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 06: General view before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal vs Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Portugal vs Spain – Official Lineups

Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Joao Felix; Ronaldo. Spain: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.