Monday nights World Cup Round of 16 action comes from Dallas where Portugal take on a Spain side who looked to be at the top of their game in the previous round
Portugal
Portugal arrive in the Round of 16 on the back of a controversial 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto on Friday. They had the better of the first half which finished without a goal and it was Croatia who took a 53rd minute lead. Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot on 68 minutes but the real drama came at the end. Goncalo Ramos made it 2-1 to Portugal on 94 minutes and then in the 103rd minute what had looked like a Croatia equalizer was chalked off by VAR and the full time whistle sounded shortly afterwards.
Portugal were pre-tournament favourites to top Group K but they had to settle for the runners up spot. Colombia were first with 7 points, Portugal finished with 5, DR Congo also made the cut with 4 points and Uzbekistan lost all 3 of their matches and have returned home.
Heading into their final group match against Colombia in Miami Portugal needed a win to go top of the group but the game finished without a goal.
Portugal made no mistake against Uzbekistan in their second group match in Houston as they coasted to a 5-0 win. Ronaldo scored 2 first half goals and Mendes was also on target as they led 3-0 at half time and after an own goal made it 4-0 Rafael Leao rounded off the scoring in a one sided contest.
Portugal started their tournament with a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Houston. Joao Neves put them in front after just 6 minutes but despite having more than 75% of the ball they created very little else and DR Congo were level just before half time.
Spain
Spain eased into the Round o 16 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria in Los Angeles on Thursday night. Mikel Oyarzabal scored in each half, his third and fourth of the tournament whilst Pedro Porro was also on target and Austria never really got in a blow.
Spain finished well clear at the top of Group H, unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw and they finished 4 points clear of Cape Verde who drew all 3 of their games. That left Uruguay and Saudi Arabia on 2 points each and both those nations were eliminated.
Spain were in Guadalajara for their final group match against Uruguay, they needed a win to rubber stamp top spot in the group and they did enough to earn a 1-0 victory thanks to an Alex Baena goal late in the first half.
Earlier Spain had kick started their tournament with a comfortable 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta in their second group match. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring on 10 minutes and a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal had Spain 3-0 up after 24 minutes. It stayed that way until just after half time when a Saudi own goal made it 4-0 and there was no further scoring.
Spain were overwhelming favourites for their opening match against Cape Verde, also in Atlanta but the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Spain had almost three quarters of possession and did everything but score as Cape Verde held out.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Portugal are priced at around 29/10 to win the game with the draw available at 5/2 and Spain can be backed at around 19/20
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 9/10 and its 15/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
These teams met 12 months ago in Munich in the final of the Uefa Nations League, it finished 2-2 with Spain twice in front but it was Portugal who won on spot kicks. I think Spain are growing into the tournament and Portugal have rode their luck at times but for a financial interest I’m with Spain to score 2-3 in the multi goals market
Bets: Spain multi goals 2-3 at 21/20 with Betway
Note, odds are subject to change