The Iberian derby between and dates back over 100 years. It began six days before Christmas in 1921 when the neighbours took the field in Madrid for a friendly which Spain won by three goals to one.
Since that opening exchange, La Roja and the Seleção das Quinas have faced off 41 times: 29 friendlies and 12 competitive matches. The neighbours are set to go head-to-head once again, this time in the last 16 of the after and in the Round of 32.
Ahead of Spain and Portugal’s Round of 16 matchup in Dallas on 6 July, FIFA is taking a walk down memory lane, looking at six of the best matches between the two European heavyweights.
UEFA Nations League Final 8 July 2025 Munich, Germany
Spain opened the scoring through Martin Zubimendi, Portugal hit back moments later through Nuno Mendes. Mikel Oyarzabal fired home La Roja’s second before the end of the first half, but Cristiano Ronaldo levelled for Portugal after the break. The game seesawed back and forth with Spain dominating possession and Portugal defending determinedly. Neither side could find a winner in regulation or extra time despite their best efforts and so the match went to penalties.
Portugal elected to shoot first and it proved a wise choice. Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Ruben Neves all converted their penalties. Spain substitute Alvaro Morata missed La Roja’s fourth and final penalty as Portugal secured the UEFA Nations League crown in dramatic fashion.
FIFA World Cup 2018 15 June, 2018 Sochi, Russia
The World Cup in Russia was a shot at redemption for Spain and Portugal as both sides had exited the tournament at the group stage four years earlier. With expectations high for both sides going into the tournament, the opening match of Group B didn’t disappoint.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down by club-mate Nacho. Diego Costa equalised for Spain, before Portugal’s talisman reinstated the Seleção das Quinas’ lead before the half. After the break, Costa equalised once again before Nacho scored one of the goals of the tournament, a slicing half-volley from the edge of the penalty area, that provide unstoppable.
But the game wasn’t over. With just minutes to play, Gerard Pique brought down Ronaldo, who scored a curling free-kick to secure a point for Portugal and claim his first World Cup hat-trick. Unfortunately, the tournament petered out for both nations, with Spain losing on penalties in the last 16 to hosts Russia and Portugal going down to an Edinson Cavani-inspired Uruguay 2-1 despite dominating the majority of the match.
UEFA EURO 2012 27 June, 2012 Donetsk, Ukraine
Spain’s road to retaining their European title in 2012 had to go through Portugal. The semi-final between the neighbours was not a classic display of either side’s skillset, but rather a fierce battle to determine who would have the chance to play Italy.
Spain’s possession tested Portugal over and over again, but the Seleção das Quinas’ defence refused to break. First, Alvaro Arbeloa fired over the crossbar, and after a rapid counterattack stemming from a Portuguese attacking free kick, Andres Iniesta did the same. Cristiano Ronaldo left Iker Casillas for dead, but his blazing shot went just the wrong side of the post, and the game ended 0-0 after the regulation 90.
Extra time couldn't provide a winner, and the sides went to penalties. Infamously, Ronaldo was set to take his side’s final penalty only to be denied the chance of shooting after both Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves missed theirs. Spain ran out 4-2 winners after the spot kicks and conquered Europe once again with a devastating 4-0 victory of the Azzurri in the final.
FIFA World Cup 2010 29 June, 2010 Cape Town, South Africa
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo entering the World Cup having scored 33 goals and notched 10 assists in his debut season with Real Madrid, South Africa proved to be La Roja’s crowning moment. To lift the World Cup for the first time, Spain had to go through their neighbours.
La Roja dominated possession in the last 16 match-up, limiting Portugal and a semi-fit Ronaldo to a handful of chances. After Fernando Llorente replaced Fernando Torres, Spain were able to open up more space for their lethal frontman, David Villa. Just after the hour mark, Xavi picked out Villa, and the Asturian fired toward the Portuguese goal. His initial shot was well saved by Eduardo, but the Spain forward was first to the rebound, lifting it into the roof of the net and securing Spain’s passage to the quarter-final.
UEFA EURO 2004 20 June, 2004 Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal hosted EURO 2004, and despite an astonishing opening-match defeat to unfancied Greece, there was much expectation around a side that had Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, and a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal recovered after their defeat, beating Russia comfortably and Spain entered the match having beaten Russia 1-0 and drawn with Greece. Both teams needed three points to qualify for the knockout stage and it was the hosts would come away happy.
In front of a packed house at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, second-half substitute Nino Gomes made the difference. The Benfica striker netted from 20 yards to secure Portugal’s first-ever victory over Spain in a competitive match and send them through as group winners. Spain were eliminated, having scored fewer goals than eventual champions Greece.
FIFA World Cup Qualifier 11 March, 1934 Madrid, Spain
In one of their earliest meetings, Spain handed Portugal one of their heaviest-ever defeats. Playing in front of 50,000 fans at what is now the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, La Roja put nine unanswered goals past their neighbours. Eduardo Gonzalez opened the scoring in the third minute, and Basque forward Isidro Langara scored twice in two minutes to send Spain into the break three goals ahead.
In the second half, the floodgates opened. Langara scored a second-half hat-trick, netting five in total as Martin Ventolra and Luis Regueiro added three others to complete the rout. A week later, the two sides played the second leg in Lisbon. Although a mere formality, Spain also won this fixture, netting twice in the first half to win 2-1.
Sources: FIFA Official
