Two of the match favourites meet in a heavyweight conflict, with Milan winger dropped to the bench as Portugal vs Spain continues the spherical of 16 ties.
Leao, whose Milan future has been the topic of , was predicted to line up on the left of Portugal’s assault behind Cristiano Ronaldo, himself a former Serie A star from his three seasons at .
Commercial
Nonetheless, Roberto Martinez has opted as a substitute to begin alongside Ronaldo in assault.
The Portugal aspect is steeped in Italian pedigree elsewhere too: right-back beforehand turned out for each and Juventus, captain Bruno Fernandes performed in Serie A with Novara, and Sampdoria, and centre-back spent the second half of final season on mortgage at Juventus earlier than his transfer to .
Spain, in contrast, subject a aspect drawn nearly solely from LaLiga and the Premier League, with no present or former Serie A males of their predicted XI, a reminder of the place the stability of Spanish expertise at the moment sits.
Luis de la Fuente’s crew nonetheless carry a formidable backbone, from and in midfield to teenage star and up prime.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 06: Normal view earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Spherical of 16 match between Portugal vs Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Lars Baron/Getty Photos)
Commercial
Portugal vs Spain – Official Lineups
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, ; , ; , Fernandes, Joao Felix; Ronaldo.
Spain: ; , Cubarsi, , ; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, , ; Oyarzabal.