Live: Ronaldo confirms last World Cup as Portugal meets Spain

live World Cup live updates: Portugal vs Spain, USA vs Belgium Portugal takes on Spain in a clash between two Iberian neighbours in Dallas, Texas. Later, the last-remaining co-host, the USA, takes on Belgium after the controversial reinstatement of striker Folarin Balogun. - Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian times - ABC Sport podcast: Check out the latest episode here Follow all the action in our live blog. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Key Event Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:32am Ronaldo says this World Cup will be his last Cristiano Ronaldo admitted this World Cup will be his last and stressed he leaves with no regrets ahead of Portugal's last-16 clash with neighbours Spain in Dallas on Monday. The 41-year-old, playing at a record sixth World Cup, made the comment at the end of a press conference in which he insisted he would end his trophy-laden career on his own terms. "Let this be my last World Cup; it is my last World Cup, and I hope tomorrow won't be my last match," he said before departing to a round of applause from journalists. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward had earlier refused to confirm the tournament would be his last, even though he will be 45 when the next tournament is played in 2030. "I will finish when I choose. You always ask the same question: is this the last one? We will see. I don't want to draw attention to this, the most important thing is to play well tomorrow," Ronaldo initially told reporters on Sunday. "I'm going to be perfectly honest, regardless of what happens tomorrow, Cristiano is going to be 1000 per cent leaving with a clear conscience. "I have given all I could to football, it's my passion to play for so many years. I didn't do it out of need, I'm doing well out of life. It's about passion. I play for the national team and I love to play football. "Regardless of what happens tomorrow I'm not going to exert pressure on myself that I must win. "You have to enjoy every match at a huge competition like the World Cup. I think I'm not doing so bad. I've scored three goals, others have done better but I think I'm doing not so bad." - Reuters Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:27am 'Spain is the favourite': Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo admitted Spain comes into this match as favourites to progress to the quarterfinals. However, he said the Portuguese side had confidence they could still do a job against their larger neighbours. "If we didn't have this belief we wouldn't be here," he said. "It's been a beautiful experience, we're getting better in every match. "We know this is a tough competition and it's impossible to always do well. "Some good teams have been eliminated and that says everything. The team is well, calm and well prepared. "We're going to face a difficult team but I think we will be prepared." Ronaldo will be making his 233rd appearance for Portugal today as he lines up against Spain, a nation he has a close connection to after spending nine seasons with Real. His scoring record against Portugal's Iberian neighbour, however, is limited with only four goals against the Spanish. That total includes a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw during the group phase of the 2018 World Cup. "Spain is always a contender to win the Euros, the Nations League, they have already won this competition," he said. "Spain is the favourite. They have more titles than Portugal but this is a different competition with different players. There are injuries, there's the heat. "I like playing against Spain, my record is quite good. I've played them 10 or 11 times and it's quite balanced. It will be won on small details. I have this feeling we are going to win." Key Event Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:24am Portugal vs Spain team news Here's the team news for this morning's opening match. Spain Spain has named an unchanged side So that's easy. Portugal One change for the Portuguese, Roberto Martinez bringing in João Félix in place of Rafael Leão up front, partnering Cristiano Ronaldo and Pedro Neto. Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 4:17am Good morning folks Hello everyone and welcome to ABC Sport's ongoing coverage of the FIFA World Cup. My name is Simon Smale and I am going to be with you this morning for two more massive last-16 clashes. First up we'll have Portugal and Spain clashing in a big Iberian derby in Dallas. Then, we head north to Seattle, where the USA take on Belgium amidst a firestorm of controversy that has raised significant doubts over the credibility of the competition. We'll get into that, of course, but first up, thanks for being with us.