Spain's recent 3-0 victory over Austria has boosted the team's confidence ahead of their upcoming last-16 match against Portugal in the World Cup. This win has revitalized belief in the European champions after a challenging start to the tournament, according to TimesLIVE.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has expressed concern over the threat posed by Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his age of 41. As the two teams prepare for their Round of 16 match on July 6 at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Simon emphasized the need to keep Ronaldo contained within the penalty area, highlighting his continued danger in the game.

Spain and Portugal are set to face off in the World Cup round of 16 in Texas, marking a rematch of last year's Nations League final. The match highlights a generational clash between veteran Cristiano Ronaldo and young talent Lamine Yamal, as both teams bring a year's worth of rivalry into the game.

Portugal coach Martinez stated that Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry with players like Lionel Messi motivates both athletes to maintain their peak performance, even as Ronaldo arrives late to the World Cup festivities. This ongoing competition is seen as a key factor in their enduring excellence in football.

Ahead of Spain's match against Portugal in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forward Mikel Oyarzabal has named Lionel Messi as the best striker in the tournament. Oyarzabal, who is the captain of Real Sociedad, shared his views on the iconic Argentine playmaker during an appearance on the Spanish radio program El Partidazo.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden striker, criticized Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, stating that Ronaldo's ego is negatively impacting the team. Ibrahimovic suggested that Ronaldo's presence in the starting lineup does not exemplify legendary leadership and implied that the 41-year-old has lost his effectiveness on the field.