Ronaldo v Cubarsí: the duel that frames Dallas
Confirmed XIs in, and the veteran up top meets the teenager tasked with muzzling him.
The team sheets land. The eye goes straight to one contrast: at the tip of Portugal's 4-2-3-1 stands Cristiano Ronaldo, and marking his zone in Spain's back four sits Pau Cubarsí. Age against youth, instinct against composure — that's your subplot in Dallas.
Behind Ronaldo, Portugal go rich. Bruno Fernandes and João Félix flank Pedro Neto, with João Neves and Vitinha screening. Spain answer in kind: Rodri and Pedri controlling the pulse, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo either side of Alex Baena. Two midfields built to hoard the ball.
One name carries momentum. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice in Spain's most recent outing, the 3-0 win over Austria, and he starts again. Little wonder the bookmakers make Spain the favourites, Portugal the outsiders.
Style may settle it. Spain's recent games have run lower-scoring, Portugal's more open. Whichever rhythm wins tells you where this tilts.
Written and fact-checked by our AI preview desk from live match data. Refreshed as kickoff nears.
