Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Harry Latham-Coyle

World Cup 2018 LIVE: Latest news and updates from Spain vs Portugal

Portugal vs Spain was arguably the game of the Group Stage already but the former World champions sacking their head coach Julen Lopetegui has added an extra spice to proceedings – as if it was needed.

Fernando Hierro will take charge of Spain – if only in name. It looks more like the players will govern themselves with Sergio Ramos at the helm.

As they look to find their feet, they only have to face the most destructive goalscorer at the World Cup in Russia in Cristiano Ronaldo. It will certainly be interesting.

Follow all the live action below…

Live Updates

Read more...
54 mins: GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain (Diego Costa)
A wonderfully worked free kick from David Silva causes confusion in the Portuguese box, and the header down from Sergio Busquets is tapped home by Diego Costa. The striker just wanted it more. Now he is just one goal away from a memorable hat trick.
49 mins: Portugal start the second half with a dangerous break once again, meanwhile a handful of players including Ronaldo struggle with the pitch as they slip and slide whilst looking to turn the Spanish defence
SECOND HALF: Portugal and Ronaldo get us back underway. Could there be a hat trick for him in the next 45 minutes?
That half had everything, goalkeeping howlers, penalties, VAR, goalline technology, an incredible long range effort denied by the bar, Ronaldo being...Ronaldo, and Costa at his best.
Bring on the second half!
HALF TIME: Portugal 2-1 Spain
Ronaldo penalty, followed by Spanish domination and a brilliant individual equaliser from Diego Costa. Then out of nowhere Ronaldo adds a second, as De Gea gifts Portugal the lead at half-time.
 
How could you not love football?
44 mins: GOAL! Portugal 2-1 Spain
You couldn't write it! Ronaldo shoots from the edge of the box and David De Gea has had an absolute howler. It goes through the goalkeeper agonisingly and Portugal are ahead again.
41 mins: The game has just settled into a lull with both sides throwing absolutely everything at it in the opening moments. Spain will be rueing their poor start after being much the better team following Ronaldo's opener
One of the headlines we didn't want this tournament was VAR, and so far so good with the technology working as it should to help referees and prevent incorrect decisions 
35 mins: So close to a second for Spain! The ball agonisingly dribbles across the face of goal. Diego Costa proving a real headache for defenders, looking in prime physical condition, and hunting the ball down in attack and defence
30 mins: We are at the half hour mark (yes really!) and there's been almost a games worth of action in those 30 minutes
Portugal already look to be hanging on but could still prove dangerous on the counter attack
26 mins: What. A. Game. A thunderbolt from Isco and it's somehow hit the bar and failed to cross the line. Goal line technology gives us a clear decision. No goal. Portugal breathe again.
23 mins: GOAL! Portugal 1-1 Spain
 
It's Diego Costa! I asked the question of how Spain could get the best out of Costa and the answer was a long ball direct down field!
21 mins: Corner for Spain after wonderful play from Iniesta.
Jose Fonte clears, a blisteringly quick Portugal counter attack sets into motion, Ronaldo plays in Guedes who can't get the ball out of his feet in time to strike
20 mins: A question that remains for Spain, and will continue to be asked the longer they are behind in this one, is how do they get the most out of Diego Costa?

A couple of times already, the striker has looked on a different wavelength to his team mates, hardly surprising with tika taka style passing not really his strong point.
16 mins: Spain have just started to grow into this one. Some quick, slick passes opening up Portugal, but their final ball is lacking. Portugal looking dangerous on the break, and the experienced Sergio Busquets picks up an early yellow card
Not sure this Spanish kit even makes it into the top 10 this tournament. Here's hoping their football can be a lot better than that
11 mins: Spain look to have overcome their initial lack of structure, and David Silva can fly an effort at goal, but ends up over the bar. The advantage of course, for Portugal, is they can sit back and defend with that all-important goal in their back pocket
A pretty accurate summary of those first couple of frantic minutes. 
6 mins: Nacho, playing after Dani Carvajal's injury has had a nightmare start. One-on-one with Ronaldo isn't a place you want to be, and to be behind so early gives the likes of Pepe all the more reason to frustrate and irritate as he is so good at.
 
On Ronaldo, he's undoubtedly world class, perhaps the best ever, but he's due a 'great' World Cup. Is this his time?
4 mins: GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo fires home the penalty as though he's at home in his back garden.
 
De Gea can't put him off, and the crowd roars into life. 

Please allow a moment for the blog to load…

What time is kick-off?

Portugal vs Spain kicks off at 7pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown on the BBC.

Odds

Portugal: 3/1

Spain: 11/10

Draw: 41/20

Prediction

Portugal 2-2 Spain. Expect goals and a lot of disorganisation as Spain try and coach themselves and Portugal look to take advantage of it.  

 

But who do you think will win? Let us know by voting above.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.