Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight for Portugal vs Spain in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16?
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One of the biggest games of Ronaldo’s career will be played tonight.
The football world will be watching one of the biggest games of the World Cup on Monday evening. One of the competition’s most anticipated matches sets European powerhouses Spain and Portugal against each other.
The Iberian neighbours have been at odds for more than a century, meeting 43 times, including numerous times in major events. This fixture may be the greatest of them ever, with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
Forget hydration breaks, VAR, and the Golden Boot battle; probably the most talked-about aspect of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far is Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for the Portugal squad.
There were bursts of the old Cristiano Ronaldo in the erratic triumph over Croatia that secured their position in the last 16. It included a fine thumping finish after some excellent control, which was disallowed for a narrow offside. He equalised from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
However, he was hauled off by Roberto Martínez on 81 minutes with the game on the line.
Also read: Portugal vs Spain Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight?
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to start in Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Spain tonight in Dallas, Texas.
Fans remember what happened the last time these two giants met in a FIFA World Cup competition. Ronaldo’s hat-trick secured a 3-3 draw against La Roja in 2018.
However, that was a group stage game; this time, everything will be at stake. Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to emulate a similar performance tonight.
The highly anticipated game will be part of the World Cup’s knockout stage. Ronaldo recently announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his final international appearance.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight?
Yes.
What time will the game start?
It will start at 12:30 am IST, 7 July.
Where will the game be played?
It will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.