Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout stage goal in a 2-1 last-32 win over Croatia, but the game was defined by late drama and a flurry of disallowed goals, including an incredible 103rd-minute Croatia strike that was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check.
For La Roja, their round-of-32 tie was far more straightforward as they strolled to a dominant 3-0 win over Austria, and they will carry plenty of confidence into this all-Iberian last-16 clash.
Portugal v Spain Tips Summary
Best Bet - Spain to win @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime @ 13/10
Bet Builder - Cristiano Ronaldo 3+ shots, Lamine Yamal 3+ shots, Bruno Fernandes 1+ shots on target, Mikel Oyarzabal 1+ shots on target, Nuno Mendes 2+ fouls won @ 13/2
Portugal v Spain Prediction
Best Bet: Spain to win @ 10/11
Portugal emerged as the victors the last time these two major European rivals faced off in the UEFA Nations League final last summer, but Spain look well-placed to gain revenge for that penalty shootout loss this time around.
After a frustrating start against the excellent Cape Verde, Spain have racked up three straight victories and are yet to concede a goal, and the level of domination they have shown suggests they can beat a Portugal side that have not been at their best.
Roberto Martinez’s men struggled to create opportunities in draws against Colombia and DR Congo and now face a Spain side that have allowed their opponents just three shots on target in 360 minutes of football, conceding 0.86 expected goals.
Nine of Portugal’s 15 shots on target came in their thrashing of Uzbekistan and, given their struggles against the better defensive sides of Colombia and DR Congo, even forcing extra-time will be an uphill battle.
Alternative Bet: Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime @ 13/10
Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace against Austria took his tally to four World Cup goals, and the central figure in Spain’s attack could increase that further against Portugal.
He has scored 12 goals in his last 10 appearances for Spain and arrived at this tournament following his most prolific season in La Liga with Real Sociedad.
The 29-year-old leads the way for both shots and shots on target for Spain and also scored in their UEFA Nations League final meeting with Portugal last summer.
Portugal v Spain Bet Builder Tip
Cristiano Ronaldo 3+ shots
Lamine Yamal 3+ shots
Bruno Fernandes 1+ shots on target
Mikel Oyarzabal 1+ shots on target
Nuno Mendes 2+ fouls won
Pays 13/2
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to spearhead Portugal’s attack and this team is built around getting the ball to him inside the 18-yard box.
He has attempted 15 shots in four games and has had at least three shots in three of them.
At the other end of the age spectrum, Lamine Yamal is central to Spain’s attack and had a massive six shots against Austria.
He has had 14 shots across his four appearances, which includes a 20-minute cameo against Cape Verde.
Yamal may get most of the attention, but Mikel Oyarzabal has arguably been more influential this tournament.
He has registered 17 shots on goal and has hit the target with eight of these.
On the Portuguese side, Bruno Fernandes has had exactly two shots in all four games and has tested the opposition goalkeeper in his last three appearances.
Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes has been fouled a team-high 11 times in his four World Cup appearances. He has been fouled twice or more in all four of these appearances and is expected to be involved heavily at both ends of the pitch.
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Key Match Stats
Spain have allowed their opponents just three shots on target in the tournament so far
Nine of Portugal’s 15 shots on target came against Uzbekistan
Mikel Oyarzabal has scored 12 goals in his last 10 games for Spain
Spain are unbeaten in 90 minutes in over two years
Nuno Mendes has been fouled 11 times in four appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo has averaged 3.75 shots per game this tournament
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
