Portugal brace for Spain as four miss training
Spain on Monday, and the knockout stage starts here
Portugal face Spain in the World Cup round of 16 in Dallas on Monday (4). The rivalry goes back to December 1921. This is only the second World Cup meeting between the two (2). For Spain, there is serious financial incentive: the federation and players both stand to gain substantially from progression (3).
Yamal, Laporte, Porro, and Nico Williams all missed training
Four Spain players sat out Saturday's session: Lamine Yamal, Aymeric Laporte, Pedro Porro, and Nico Williams (5). No confirmation yet on whether any will miss Monday's match. Nuno Mendes has had the upper hand on Yamal in previous encounters (1). If the teenager is not fully fit, that edge only grows.
Unai Simón on Ronaldo: not at his peak, but still dangerous
"Ronaldo não está no 'auge' mas continua perigoso" (6). That is Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón's verdict. Ronaldo posted a training photo as the squad began preparations for Monday. At 40, he remains the player Spain's backline will fear most (4).
Vozinha drawing Inter Miami interest after World Cup
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, now a free agent after his contract in Portugal ended, has caught the attention of Inter Miami following his standout World Cup (7). The 37-year-old could land in MLS this summer.
Sources
- 1. record.pt — Preparado para metê-lo no bolso
- 2. marca.com — España-Portugal, una rivalidad en 42 capítulos
- 3. marca.com — El dinero que hay en juego contra Portugal para la Federación... y para los jugadores
- 4. ge.globo.com — Cristiano Ronaldo posta foto de treino em início da preparação para enfrentar a Espanha
- 5. sapo.pt — Lamine Yamal e mais três jogadores falham treino da Espanha antes do duelo com Portugal
- 6. sicnoticias.pt — "Ronaldo não está no 'auge' mas continua perigoso": guarda-redes de Espanha em alerta
- 7. informador.mx — Vozinha despierta el interés del Inter Miami tras su destacada Copa del Mundo