Spain eye revenge as Ronaldo's Portugal loom in Texas last-16 tinderbox

July 4 : Spain and Portugal will drag a year's worth of Iberian needle into the Texas heat on Monday, when the World Cup round of 16 serves up a rematch of last year's Nations League final and a clash of generations between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal.

Portugal won that final on penalties after a 2-2 draw, spoiling Spain's attempt to defend their title and add another trophy to the European Championship crown they had claimed a year earlier.

For Luis de la Fuente's side, it remains the one blot on an otherwise gleaming three-year run that began with the 2023 Nations League title and has now stretched to 34 matches unbeaten.

Spain, smooth on the ball, ruthless in exploiting space and miserly at the back, have not conceded a World Cup goal since their group match against Japan at Qatar 2022. Yet Portugal are no ordinary obstacle, especially with a midfield of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes capable of going toe-to-toe with Spain's technicians.

In last year's Nations League final, Portugal did not pretend they were going to out-glitter Spain. They were drilled, compact and stubborn, refusing the open, attacking approach France had tried before being beaten by Spain in a nine-goal thriller in the semi-finals.

They also had Nuno Mendes, whose evening became a personal duel with Spain's right side. The Paris St Germain full back was stretched repeatedly, yet still found the energy to disrupt Spain and hurt them going forward.

He is likely to be handed a similar double shift on Monday: smother Lamine's invention and charge upfield whenever Portugal get the chance.

HEADLINE ACT

Lamine remains Spain's headline act, a teenage winger playing with the assurance of someone who treats pressure as a mild inconvenience.

But Spain