Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is desperate to make the World Cup final in what is likely to be his last tournament.
The FIFA World Cup knockout stages are packed with heavyweight clashes, but one potential fixture already stands head and shoulders above the rest.
If both Spain and Portugal win their respective round-of-32 ties this week, the Iberian neighbours will collide in the round of 16 in what promises to be one of the matches of the entire tournament. Stacked with elite, world-class talent, the potential showdown would feature some of global football's biggest names.
Spain's exciting young generation, spearheaded by Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and Rodri, would come up against Portugal's potent blend of veteran experience and attacking flair, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão, and João Neves. Between the two star-studded squads are more than 20 players who regularly compete at the absolute summit of European club football.
But first, both sides have immediate business to take care of on the pitch.
