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Cristiano Ronaldo was instrumental in Portugal's hard-fought victory over Croatia in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal as he bagged a penalty in the 68th minute to draw Portugal level, before his replacement Gonçalo Ramos struck in the 94th minute to win the match.
That set up a Round of 16 meeting with Portugal's border rival Spain, who boast the best young player in the world in Lamine Yamal.
The Sporting News explains Ronaldo's history against Spain, including his goal tally against the European giants and how many times they have faced off.
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Ronaldo history vs. Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo has faced Spain 10 times in his career.
* Result on penalty shootout
Ronaldo stats vs Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored four goals in 10 games against Spain, including a hat-trick in the 2018 World Cup group stage.
He has won two times, while suffering four defeats and four draws.
MORE: is Cristiano Ronaldo set to retire after World Cup?
Last time Ronaldo played Spain
The last time Cristiano Ronaldo faced Spain was in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League final, which Portugal won on penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
Ronaldo scored the equalizing goal in the 61st minute and was substituted off with an injury in the 88th minute, replaced by Goncalo Ramos.
That meant Ronaldo could not participate in the eventual penalty shootout, with his replacement Ramos converting his penalty to open the shootout. All five Portugal players scored from the spot, leaving Alvaro Morata's miss to decide the match.
The victory made Portugal the only two-time champion of the relatively new UEFA Nations League, as they also won the inaugural edition.
MORE: Inside the Spain vs. Portugal rivalry
When is Spain vs. Portugal Round of 16 game?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will meet Lamine Yamal and Spain in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The game will take place on Monday, July 6 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
That means these two teams will have just three days rest before the match early next week.
Kyle Bonn
Kyle Bonn is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.
Source: Sporting News
