Iveron clash against the backdrop of the World Cup quarterfinals. Portugal and Spain face off (10:00 p.m.) for a spot in the World Cup Round of 16 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The team that advances will face either the U.S. or Belgium in the quarterfinals.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s team failed to impress during the group stage, managing only a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan and draws against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1-1) and Colombia (0-0). In the knockout stage, they defeated Croatia 2-1 in a comeback victory, with Ramos scoring the winning goal in the 90’+4’ minute. They narrowly avoided a 2-2 draw at the very last moment thanks to VAR, after Gvardiol had put the ball in the net.
Portugal’s
Roster Goalkeepers: N. Costa (Porto), R. Silva (Sporting), Z. Sa (Wolves), R. Velo (Gençlerbirliği)
Defenders: N. Dalot (Manchester United), N. Semedo (Fenerbahçe), J. Cancelo (Barcelona), R. Dias (Manchester City), G. Inácio (Sporting), R. Veiga (Villarreal), N. Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), T. Araújo (Benfica)
Midfielders: R. Neves (Al-Hilal), J. Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), M. Nunes (Manchester City), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), M. Fernandes (Manchester United), M. Silva (Manchester City), S. Costa (Mallorca)
Forwards: C. Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), J. Félix (Al-Nassr), F. Trincão (Sporting), F. Conceição (Juventus), R. Leão (Milan), G. Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain), P. Neto (Chelsea), G. Guedes (Real Sociedad).
The European champion has three consecutive wins following the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the first matchday. They routed Saudi Arabia 4-0 and defeated Uruguay 1-0, having already secured their spot in the next round. In the Round of 32, they had little trouble against Austria, with Oyarzabal (36’, 89’) and Porro (66’) sealing the 3-0 victory.
Spain’s
Roster Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Juan García (Barcelona)
Defenders: Aymeric Laporte (Bilbao), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Eric García (Barcelona), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Alex Grimaldo (Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid)
Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Niko Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Jeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Borja Iglesias (Celta), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna)
. Roberto Martínez has no injury concerns and may field his strongest possible lineup, considering Leão in place of Félix.
Nico Williams remains sidelined for the Spanish side, although his condition has shown improvement. Víctor Muñoz and Jérémy Pino have returned to training.
Possible lineups:
Portugal (Roberto Martínez): Costa – Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, B. Fernandes – Neto, Félix, Cristiano
Spain (De La Fuente): Simón – Porro, Kubarshi, Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri, Pedri – Yamal, Olmo, Baena – Oyarzabal
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England).
*Photo source: AP
