Portugal vs Spain prediction: Will Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance edge his nation over the line?

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Sign Up By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply. Lionel Messi (Image credit: Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Pinterest Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Portugal vs Spain is another in a top-quality list of Round of 16 fixtures, as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for what is almost certainly his last dance on the international stage.

Conversely, Spanish starboy Lamine Yamal, long tipped as the leading contender to assume Lionel Messi’s mantle in coming years, is at the beginning of his international career, so will the past prevail over the future, for one final time?The Portuguese #7 bagged his first ever knock-out goal at the World Cup with an equalising penalty vs Croatia, after failing to do so across 20 years worth of tournaments, but will getting over that hump pay dividends vs Spain?Portugal vs Spain prediction: Will Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance prevail over Lamine Yamal’s first?

Morocco celebrate their shootout victory over the Dutch (Image credit: Getty Images)Ronaldo is often touted as the ultimate man for the big occasion, however, his World Cup resume has poorly lacked since his debut on the stage in 2006.Yamal, playing at his first World Cup for Spain, has been magnificent in the UEFA European Championship for his nation, but hasn’t necessarily been the stand-out in North America for the 2010 World Champions. Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his Portugal teammates (Image credit: Getty Images)Of course, the outcome of the game will be decided by 20 other players on the pitch, however, the presence of a true gamebreaker in World Cup knock-outs is transformative.

While Ronaldo’s goal was a penalty in the Round of 32, he did produce a stunning finish from open-play minutes earlier, falling only to a narrow offside decision.Get the FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsYamal is arguably the world’s best creator, despite Michael Olise having a record-breaking season for assists, and is more reliant on his team-mates to convert chances in games of this magnitude as opposed to the #7, who does little else but take the final shot.

Spain have a superior defence, perhaps the best at the 2026 World Cup, and have displayed attacking potency in recent fixtures that suggests they’ll have no difficulty in surmounting the Portuguese backline.However, Portugal are riding the high of a far greater, and more tightly-fought victory in their previous knock-out clash, returning from a 1-0 deficit and holding the Croatians at bay into over 15 minutes of added time.Portugal vs Spain score prediction Spain could be too strong for their Iberian neighbours (Image credit: Getty Images)Spain coasted to a 3-0 victory against Austria, which looks better on paper, but will not have adeq