Live updates: Superstar Ronaldo plays World Cup elimination match in DFW
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:
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.
