ARLINGTON
Time for another World Cup elimination match at AT&T Stadium — and it’s two heavyweights.
Spain, ranked No. 3 in the world, takes on No. 7 Portugal in a round of 16 match at 2 p.m. Monday in Arlington. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to face the winner of Monday’s late match between the U.S. and Belgium.
The biggest soccer superstars have come through Arlington during this World Cup, and that continues with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, though playing in his last World Cup at age 41.
He opposes one of the rising young stars of the sport in Spain’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal.
Follow all the action throughout the day here:
That’s it
7:30 p.m.
That’s a wrap from AT&T Stadium. Check out our coverage below.
We’ll be back July 14 for the final World Cup match in Arlington, a sure-to-be star-studded semifinal.
Ronaldo confirms Portugal departure
6:08 p.m.
After the loss, Cristiano Ronaldo answered three questions from the media, including one about his future in the sport.
Departing his final World Cup, Ronaldo reflected on his Portugal journey.
“Well, naturally, with sadness for leaving the World Cup like this,” Ronaldo said, translated from Portuguese. “But as I said yesterday in the press conference, I gave everything, I did my best, and I leave with a clear conscience. This is football, this is the life of a footballer—sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to keep going.”
Speculation now remains about his future in the sport as a whole. Ronaldo is expected to play in his club season in Saudi Arabia, but nothing is for certain.
“The truth is that it was my last World Cup, yes,” Ronaldo said. “But regarding everything else, I will have time to think, to be with my family, not to make decisions in the heat of the moment, and to continue with life.”
Spain ready for road ahead
5:21 p.m.
It will be a quick turnaround for Spain, as it will head west to prepare to face either Belgium or the United States in front of a rowdy home crowd.
Whichever team comes out of Monday night victorious, Spain will be ready.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said. “Anybody who we face will be worthy. It will be even more challenging.”
– Nick Harris
Portugal manager announces departure
5:09 p.m.
It’s not just Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez announced in the postgame press conference that he has also participated in his last match with the national team.
“It is my last game with the Portuguese National Team,” Martinez said. “It’s been an amazing period. I have no words to describe. I’d like to thank my players. We have the best players of the country and to do so you need attitude, and we had that…Everybody worked very hard to support the players. I have very beautiful memories.”
Martinez departs following three years with Portugal. Under his guidance, the team won the UEFA Nations League in 2025.
– Nick Harris
Spain 1, Portugal 0 — FINAL
4:01 p.m.
In the battle of the Iberian Peninsula — and more importantly the battle for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals — Spain comes out on top over Portugal, 1-0. The loss for the Portuguese ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career.
The lone goal came in the 90th minute from Mikel Merino, as Spain marches on in the World Cup. They now head to Los Angeles to await the winner of tonight’s match between Belgium and the United States. That quarterfinal match will take place on Friday night.
— Nick Harris
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after his team was defeated by Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM GOAL: Spain breaks through in 90th minute
3:52 p.m.
There it is! And it could be the winner for Spain!
It looked like both sides were going to bore each other to sleep heading into extra time, but Ferran Torres found the smallest crease in the Portugal backline to give Mikel Merino a free runway to the goal. Merino did the rest, sending his shot to the back left corner of the net to give Spain the crucial score.
There are six minutes of stoppage time. Can Portugal find a miracle equalizer or are we watching the final minutes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal career?
— Nick Harris
Spain celebrates after a goal by midfielder Mikel Merino (6) during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Portugal on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM Second hydration break update
3:30 p.m.
The action has slowed down a bit in the second half, as neither side has found a rhythm since the halftime break. Spain still paces Portugal in all major statistics, but Portugal has done a great job in ensuring it doesn’t turn into an allowed goal.
Coming out of the hydration break, Portugal has made two substitutions, bringing on Diogo Dalot and Rafa Leao for João Cancelo and João Félix.
— Nick Harris
Key injury to Portugal
3:19 p.m.
Just 10 minutes into the second half, Portugal has lost a key part of its starting group, as leftback Nuno Mendes has left the pitch after suffering an injury.
During the match, Mendes was accurate on 23 of his 24 passes, including completions on all four of his long balls. Defensively, he had four tackles and five recoveries. Working primarily against Lamine Yamal, the Paris Saint-Germain defender has locked down the 18-year-old superstar on the left side.
With Mendes off, Nélson Semedo has checked into the match.
— Nick Harris
Portugal defender Nuno Mendes (25) competes with Spain forward Lamine Yamal (19) for possession of the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM Scoreless after 45 minutes
2:51 p.m.
We are scoreless at the halftime break, as Spain and Portugal have yet to find the back of the net through 45 minutes. Let’s take a look at some of the stats.
Spain holds the edge in possession (55-45 percentage split), total shots (8-5), shots on target (3-2) and touches in the box (11-4).
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal with his two shots, while Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabao and Alex Baena also have two shots apiece. Rodri has paced the way for both sides in touches with 54.
— Nick Harris
Ronaldo nearly finds opening goal
2:37 p.m.
Another shot on goal for Ronaldo, but this one was way bigger of a threat than the other.
After a series of deflections inside the box, the ball found its way hovering toward Ronaldo from just about four yards from the box and the Spain goalkeeper out of position. However, Unai Simon was able to leap back into position by fully extending his body to save Ronaldo’s shot. The Portugal superstar didn’t get all of it, as it had sort of a slow hover into Simon’s grasp.
We remain scoreless in the 40th minute.
— Nick Harris
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the first half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Spain on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM Hydration break pauses electric start
2:22 p.m.
We’re at the first hydration break, and what an entertaining first 22 minutes it has been.
It’s still scoreless between Portugal and Spain, but that hasn’t been without action on both sides. Spain is pacing the way in most statistical categories: possession (58-42 percentage split), shots (5-3), shots on target (3-1) and touches in the box (6-2), but Portugal has had some intriguing threats on its end of the field.
The midfield has been controlled by Spain, allowing for the edge early on, but can it lead to the first score?
— Nick Harris
Spain saves Ronaldo’s first shot attempt
2:11 p.m.
On his second touch of the match in the 12th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled around a defender and sent a shot on goal right at Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon who easily batted it away. The crowd rose to its feet as Ronaldo entered the box and sent the shot in, but he remains off the scoreboard for now.
The moment came just minutes after Spain missed its first big chance when Mikel Oyarzabal was left all alone in the box for a point-blank opportunity that he sent wide left. It looked like a surefire Spain score before Oyarzabal hooked it wide.
— Nick Harris
Spain quickly puts first shot on goal
2:03 p.m.
We are underway, and Spain is already putting the pressure on their Iberian Peninsula neighbors.
After a sloppy midfield giveaway — somewhat of a theme for Portugal in this tournament — Spain was able to find space running into the box for a shot on goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. It was sent right at Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and easily saved, but it showed that Spain has the early juice.
— Nick Harris
Watch for this young superstar
1:47 p.m.
It’s hard to say this player is under the radar going into this match, but when Ronaldo is on the pitch, there’s a clear difference in how certain players are perceived. But if you find yourself taking your eyes off No. 7 for Portugal, put them on No. 19 for Spain.
Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old superstar who has already etched his name among the best in the world, has only found the scoresheet once in this World Cup, but his involvement in Spain’s success so far has been steadfast. After a 2025-26 season in which he accounted for 24 goals and 20 assists at just 17 years old, the sky is the limit for the face of the next generation of the sport.
Does he officially take the torch from Ronaldo on the pitch on Monday afternoon in Arlington? Or, will his reign be forced to wait four more years?
— Nick Harris
Starting lineups
1:40 p.m.
Here are the starting lineups for each side:
Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Costa
Spain – Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri, Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Pedro Porro, Unai Simon
— Nick Harris
Ronaldo’s final World Cup match?
1:34 p.m.
Over the weekend, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, confirmed rumors that this will be his last World Cup run before he retires from international soccer. With Monday’s match being a single elimination contest, Arlington could be the last place that Ronaldo puts on his Portugal kit.
In his international career, Ronaldo has won three major trophies: the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He is still in search of his first World Cup trophy, as he has only reached as far as the semifinals with Portugal in his debut tournament in 2006.
In this tournament, Ronaldo has scored three goals in four matches, including two against the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 17. In Portugal’s Round of 32 win over Croatia, Ronaldo opened the scoring for A Seleção with a penalty kick in the 68th minute.
— Nick Harris
Portugal fans out in force
1:28 p.m.
The Portugal fans are making their presence felt in Arlington.
— Mac Engel
Betting update
1:22 p.m.
Spain is a solid -194 favorite to advance to the quarterfinals, implying a 66% probability. A bettor would have to wager $194 to profit $100. Portugal is +186, meaning a bettor could wager $100 to profit $186.
Spain is -104 to win in regulation, a draw is +257, and Portugal is +335.
The total — the combined goals scored in regulation — is 2.5.
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo are the favorites to score in the match at +138. Oyarzabal is the 4-1 favorite to score the first goal.
The last match at AT&T Stadium
1 p.m.
In the previous World Cup match at AT&T Stadium, Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw to prevail in the round of 32.
Here is our coverage from that match:
This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 1:29 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.