Portugal vs Spain – World Cup Combined XI | OneFootball

Portugal and Spain meet in the World Cup’s last 16 this evening, an Iberian Derby to decide which team progresses to the last eight.

The rivals collide at Dallas Stadium, in a massive major tournament contest. Ahead of the game, we’ve picked our Portugal and Spain Combined XI.

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon – Spain

Spain’s goalkeeper depth is the envy of world football, with the brilliant David Raya and Joan Garcia consigned to back-up roles this summer. Unai Simon has nailed down the number one shirt in recent years and has rarely let Spain down.

Right-back: Pedro Porro – Spain

Pedro Porro should earn the nod at right-back for Spain, with the Spurs defender having been influential across his two tournament appearances. Porro scored in the last-32 win over Austria and has created eight chances in just two games at the 2026 World Cup.

Centre-back: Ruben Dias – Portugal

The Manchester City centre-back will marshal the Portugal backline, with Dias a leader for Roberto Martinez’s side. The 29-year-old has twice won the Nations League with Portugal and will hope to add the World Cup to his long list of honours.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Spain

It’s easy to forget that Pau Cubarsi is still a teenager. The defender’s racked up 128 appearances for Barcelona and forged a reputation as one of the best progressive defenders in the game. His ability to break lines with his passing is key for La Roja.

Left-back: Nuno Mendes – Portugal

A flying machine and one half of club football’s best full-back pairing at Paris Saint-Germain. Nuno Mendes is now, perhaps indisputably, the best left-back in the game.

Midfield: Rodri – Spain

Rodri’s role in Spain’s success at Euro 2024 resulted in a Ballon d’Or win for the midfielder, who will again be central to their hopes this summer. The 30-year-old has been bullish ahead of the game, insisting Spain’s midfield group is superior to Portugal’s talented core.

Midfield: Pedri – Spain

Is there a more archetypal Spanish midfielder than Pedri? The Barcelona star’s poise and press resistance are the hallmarks on what modern Spain sides have been built on.

Midfield: Vitinha – Portugal

Arguably the two best midfields in the tournament go head-to-head tonight, with Vitinha the conductor of the Portugal side. After back-to-back Champions League wins with PSG, the 26-year-old has cemented himself as one of the best metronomes in world football.

Midfield: Bruno Fernandes – Portugal

Fresh from a record-breaking Premier League campaign at Manchester United that delivered 21 assists and the FWA Footballer of the Year award, Fernandes is yet to find his groove in North America.

However, Spain will know he is the Portuguese player who can perhaps hurt them most.

Forward: Lamine Yamal – Spain

At just 18, already an elite talent. Yamal was electric during Spain’s win over Austria in the previous round and will be out to make a major impact at his first World Cup. An ascent to a status as the world’s best footballer seems a matter of when, not if.

Forward: Mikel Oyarzabal – Spain

The unsung hero of the Spain side needs just one goal to equal the national record for goals scored at a single edition of the tournament. It’s now 16 goals in his last 16 starts for his country for the Real Sociedad skipper.

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See more – Iconic Performances: Ronaldo treble stuns Spain at World Cup

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