As Portugal and Spain prepare to meet in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, we've taken a look at the history of the Iberian Derby.
While Spain comfortably booked their place in the round of 16 with a 3-0 victory over Austria in Los Angeles, Portugal have endured a decidedly more difficult route.
Against Croatia Roberto Martinez's side went behind early in the second half after Ivan Perisic fired home from close range to put their hopes in doubt.
But Portugal rallied late on and Cristiano Ronaldo netted his first-ever goal in the World Cup knockout stages to put them back on level terms before Goncalo Ramos found the net deep into stoppage time to give his side the lead.
More drama was to follow as Croatia were controversially denied a would-be equaliser in the dying seconds, but Portugal were ultimately able to hang on to set up a showdown with their neighbours, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
When did Portugal last play Spain?
Portugal and Spain have met 41 times in their history, dating back to a 3-1 win for La Roja in December 1921 which marked Portugal's first-ever international game.
The most recent meeting between the two sides came last June, in the final of the 2025 UEFA Nations League.
Second half goals from Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo were enough for Portugal to see off Germany for a place in the final, while Spain overcame France 5-4 in Stuttgart.
Spain twice took the lead when the two teams met on the 9th June 2025, but Portugal drew level courtesy of goals from Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The game ultimately went to extra time, and when the Iberian rivals couldn't be separated after another 30 minutes of football they went to a penalty shootout.
The first seven penalties were converted before Alvaro Morata was denied from 12 yards by Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves converted the subsequent spot kick to secure victory for Portugal.
Have Portugal and Spain ever met at the World Cup?
The heavyweight round of 16 clash between Spain and Portugal on Monday evening will mark the third time the two teams have gone head-to-head in the World Cup finals.
Like the coming fixture, the first meeting between them also came at the round of 16 stage, during the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Also mirrored in this summer's showdown, Spain had entered the World Cup as the reigning European champions.
As the tournament was in Africa for the first time Spain topped their group despite losing their opening game to Switzerland, while Portugal qualified for the knockout round after finishing as runners-up to Brazil in Group G.
A second-half goal from David Villa was all that separated the two sides when they met on 29 June 2010, with Spain progressing to the last eight en route to winning the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Less than eight years later Spain and Portugal would face off at the World Cup once again after they were drawn together in Group B at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Unlike 2010 this would be anything but a cagey affair, with the game finishing 3-3 as Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick in Sochi at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.
Portugal v Spain all-time head-to-head record
Portugal games won: | 7 |
Games drawn: | 16 |
Spain games won: | 18 |
Last ten meetings:
- 8 June 2025: Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 pens)
- 27 September 2022: Portugal 0-1 Spain
- 2 June 2022: Spain 1-1 Portugal
- 4 June 2021: Spain 0-0 Portugal
- 7 October 2020: Portugal 0-0 Spain
- 15 June 2018: Portugal 3-3 Spain
- 27 June 2012: Portugal 0-0 Spain (2-4 pens)
- 17 November 2010: Portugal 4-0 Spain
- 29 June 2010: Spain 1-0 Portugal
- 20 June 2004: Portugal 1-0 Spain
