Spain faces Portugal in the World Cup on Monday. It would seem that the World Cup has now begun, and it really is. A win in this match would mean a quarter-final berth.

The future of world star Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be in question in this match. The game will be played at the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and will be a clash between two of the most talented teams in this World Cup.

For now, European champions Spain seem to be in the mix. The team defeated Austria in the first match of the knockout stage. Mikel Ierzabal scored two goals in that. Pedro Porro added a goal in Hollywood style towards the end of that match in Los Angeles. Spain, who entered the field in an attempt to win the title, did not start well. There was also criticism that they were held to a goalless draw with a team like Cape Verde.

Spain may be back on track now. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says, ‘I think we are playing excellent football.’ I am happy with the team’s performance and I think the team is close to reaching its best form.’

He warns his players that if they do not improve, other options are readily available in the team. ‘This is the team’s mantra now. The team believes that we can play much better,’ claims the 65-year-old coach. Spain also won the European title under his leadership two years ago. There is another special feature of the victory against Austria. This is that the player who won the ‘Player of the Match’ was Lamine Yamal. He has played a game that has won everyone’s hearts.

The 18-year-old Barcelona player spent 85 minutes on the field in California. This is the longest time Yamal has spent on the field since returning from injury. Yamal said after the match, ‘I want our team to continue to progress and the ultimate goal is to win the World Cup. We are not afraid of any opponent because we are Spain. I say, the World Cup has started.’

The 41-year-old Ronaldo will also be at the center of the match. For the Portuguese captain, every game now feels like it could be his last in the World Cup. The player who has played the most games for his country in world football has not yet said that this will be the case in the future. Ronaldo, who struggled in the match against DR Congo, scored two goals in the win against Uzbekistan.

Then the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United star Ronaldo announced, 'Now I'm back in the game.' Roberto Martinez's team, which finished second behind Colombia in the league stage, ended Croatia's challenge in the last 32 match. Ronaldo also scored one of the goals from the penalty spot. Ruben Navez was brought on as the game headed into extra time.

Earlier, there was an accusation against coach Martinez, that he would not try to substitute Ronaldo in such a situation. But that also happened against Croatia and another substitute Goncalo Ramos scored the decisive goal. Despite this, Ronaldo will also be in Martinez's starting 11 against Spain. But this time he will face Spain, not Croatia.