Spain news

We're set for an Iberian derby thriller in the World Cup Round of 16. Here's how you can secure your tickets.

The meteoric rise of young stars like Lamine Yamal has reignited the debate about who could inherit the throne left by the two greatest legends of modern football. However, former player Tonito warns that reaching the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo requires a consistency that few in history have managed to demonstrate over decades.

Mikel Oyarzabal was one of five Real Sociedad players in Spain's Euro 2024 squad. No other club had more. But neither Oyarzabal nor his fellow Basques made a song and dance about their role in Spain's success in Germany. "That would be us," he told The Guardian. "[We] don't like being in the spotlight." It's getting harder and harder for him to avoid it, though.

Barcelona star Gavi has offered a staunch defence of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that those who choose to write off the legendary forward are doing so from the outside. As Spain prepare for a heavyweight World Cup showdown against Portugal, the midfield engine believes the veteran remains a match-winning threat.

Lamine Yamal's 'EGO' headband became one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 World Cup after Spain's win over Austria. The accessory sparked widespread debate, with many wondering whether it was a fashion statement or a message aimed at critics questioning the Barcelona star's confidence.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has warned his team about Cristiano Ronaldo's enduring threat ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash with Portugal. While admitting the veteran striker is no longer at his physical peak, Simon believes his goalscoring instincts remain unmatched and dismissed suggestions that this could be Ronaldo's final World Cup.

Comprehensive match preview of Portugal vs Spain at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 16 clash in Texas.

Portugal defender Nelson Semedo has joined the global chorus of praise for Cape Verde following their dramatic World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina. Despite a heart-wrenching 3-2 defeat in extra time, the ex-Wolves full-back insists the island nation secured a moral victory that transcends the final scoreline.

The real World Cup is finally under way! After a group phase almost completely devoid of jeopardy because of the tournament's farcical format, the first batch of knockout games treated us to some long overdue drama, with Germany and Netherlands among the big names to fall in the round of 32. A couple more heavyweights could have been kayoed too, though.

Excitement is growing as we move through the knockout stages at the 2026 World Cup and, throughout the showpiece tournament in North America, GOAL, in association with eToro, is tracking the value of some of the world's most sought-after talents. Will their price rise or plummet? Follow our unique player value tracker to find out...