Portugal qualifies without Ronaldo, faces Spain

Portugal defeated Croatia in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, securing their passage to the round of 16 without the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. This dramatic victory propels the Portuguese national team toward a prestigious confrontation against Spain, the traditional rival of the Iberians. The Portuguese will need to elevate their level of play to overcome this major obstacle on their road to the later stages of the competition.