Portugal takes on Spain in a clash between two Iberian neighbours in Dallas, Texas.Later, the last-remaining co-host, the USA, takes on Belgium after the controversial reinstatement of striker Folarin Balogun.Follow all the action in our live blog.Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll6Key Events2Portugal vs Spain5Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:42amTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:42amStat attackThis is the first time two teams in the top 5 of the FIFA Rankings (pre-tournament) have faced each other before the quarterfinals of a World Cup since 2014.Coming into the tournament Spain was ranked second and Portugal fifth.They are now third and seventh respectively.On that 2024 occasion, Germany beat Portugal 4-0.Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:37amTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:37am'Genius' Ronaldo can be decisiveBy Simon Smale(Getty Images)Cristiano Ronaldo, who Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called "a genius", was one of Portugal's scorers in the most recent meeting between the teams and De la Fuente conceded the 41-year-old remained a threat to his side's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals."As a footballer he is someone you have to take care of, he can change a game in the moment," said De la Fuente."It's not that we have to do man-to-man marking, but in certain areas we have to be aware he's there."Cristiano has quality and class and in any moment he can be decisive. I would prefer if he didn't play, of course, but I think he will."Spain's progress through the tournament so far, which saw them top their group before defeating Austria in the last 32, has prompted De la Fuente's side to be likened to the team that won the title in South Africa in 2010."To think that we might be compared to a squad from the past really makes me proud," he said."That was a spectacular team, a brilliant team. My players, no one is giving them anything for free."We are on our way and, whether we win the title or not, it's a very challenging thing to do."We have footballers who have a whole career ahead of them, they're just at the start of this. Recognition is given for titles, for championships and these players are always going to be in the fight for those."Whether they win this, that's challenging to predict."Key EventTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:32amTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:32amRonaldo says this World Cup will be his lastBy Simon Smale(Getty Images)Cristiano Ronaldo admitted this World Cup will be his last and stressed he leaves with no regrets ahead of Portugal's last-16 clash with neighbours Spain in Dallas on Monday.The 41-year-old, playing at a record sixth World Cup, made the comment at the end of a press conference in which he insisted he would end his trophy-laden career on his own terms."Let this be my last World Cup; it is my last World Cup, and I hope tomorrow won't be my last match," he said before departing to a round of applause from journalists.The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward had earlier refused to confirm the tournament would be his last, even though he will be 45 when the next tournament is played in 2030."I will finish when I choose. You always ask the same question: is this the last one? We will see. I don't want to draw attention to this, the most important thing is to play well tomorrow," Ronaldo initially told reporters on Sunday."I'm going to be perfectly honest, regardless of what happens tomorrow, Cristiano is going to be 1000 per cent leaving with a clear conscience."I have given all I could to football, it's my passion to play for so many years. I didn't do it out of need, I'm doing well out of life. It's about passion. I play for the national team and I love to play football."Regardless of what happens tomorrow I'm not going to exert pressure on myself that I must win."You have to enjoy every match at a huge competition like the World Cup. I think I'm not doing so bad. I've scored three goals, others have done better but I think I'm doing not so bad."- ReutersTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:27amTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:27am'Spain is the favourite': RonaldoBy Simon Smale(Getty Images)Cristiano Ronaldo admitted Spain comes into this match as favourites to progress to the quarterfinals.However, he said the Portuguese side had confidence they could still do a job against their larger neighbours."If we didn't have this belief we wouldn't be here," he said."It's been a beautiful experience, we're getting better in every match."We know this is a tough competition and it's impossible to always do well."Some good teams have been eliminated and that says everything. The team is well, calm and well prepared."We're going to face a difficult team but I think we will be prepared."Ronaldo will be making his 233rd appearance for Portugal today as he lines up against Spain, a nation he has a close connection to after spending nine seasons with Real.His scoring record against Portugal's Iberian neighbour, however, is limited with only four goals against the Spanish.That total includes a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw during the group phase of the 2018 World Cup."Spain is always a contender to win the Euros, the Nations League, they have already won this competition," he said."Spain is the favourite. They have more titles than Portugal but this is a different competition with different players. There are injuries, there's the heat."I like playing against Spain, my record is quite good. I've played them 10 or 11 times and it's quite balanced. It will be won on small details. I have this feeling we are going to win."Key EventTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:24amTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:24amPortugal vs Spain team newsBy Simon SmaleHere's the team news for this morning's opening match.Spain(@SEFutbol)Spain has named an unchanged sideSo that's easy.Portugal(@selecaoportugal)One change for the Portuguese, Roberto Martinez bringing in João Félix in place of Rafael Leão up front, partnering Cristiano Ronaldo and Pedro Neto.Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:17amTue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:17amGood morning folksBy Simon SmaleHello everyone and welcome to ABC Sport's ongoing coverage of the FIFA World Cup.My name is Simon Smale and I am going to be with you this morning for two more massive last-16 clashes.First up we'll have Portugal and Spain clashing in a big Iberian derby in Dallas.Then, we head north to Seattle, where the USA take on Belgium amidst a firestorm of controversy that has raised significant doubts over the credibility of the competition.We'll get into that, of course, but first up, thanks for being with us.Email address