Portugal XI vs Spain: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup 2026 today | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo could be playing in his final game on football’s biggest stage

Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal against Spain in a huge World Cup 2026 round-of-16 showdown today.

The 41-year-old has been in middling form for the Selecao this summer, but has so far remained a permanent fixture in Roberto Martinez’s starting XI and led the line as usual in Thursday’s chaotic last-gasp 2-1 knockout win over Croatia.

His performance was not stellar, though he did get himself on the scoresheet with a penalty 20 minutes from time.

It was substitute Goncalo Ramos who scored the injury-time winner, and the question has been raised as to whether the new AC Milan frontman should get the nod in Dallas on Monday.

It is a conundrum for Martinez, who has previously refused to even contemplate dropping Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner looked visibly unhappy at being substituted with 10 minutes to go against Croatia, and would presumably be distinctly unimpressed not to make the team for such a high-profile game against Portugal’s biggest rivals.

As such, expect him to lead the attack once more against Spain, with a quarter-final place on the line against either co-hosts the USA or Belgium.

Rare substitution: Cristiano Ronaldo was unhappy after being replaced against Croatia

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It could well end up being Ronaldo’s final World Cup outing, having confirmed on the eve of the match that this sixth appearance on football’s grandest stage will be his last.

Elsewhere, Joao Neves replaced namesake Ruben Neves in midfield against Croatia and should keep his place here.

Rafael Leao took Joao Felix’s starting berth last time out and will surely continue in his role alongside Bruno Fernandes after bagging an assist in that dramatic last-32 victory in Toronto.

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto did not shine on the opposite flank, though, and may lose his spot to Francisco Conceicao, who put in a lively performance off the bench.

Martinez’s back five has been largely unchanged throughout this tournament, so he should persist with Diogo Costa in goal and Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo ahead of him.

Injured: None