Honestly, if you're looking for the portugal spain live score right this second, you might be a few months late to the biggest party of the decade—or a few months early for the next one. The last time these two Iberian giants actually locked horns was the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final in Munich, and man, it was a fever dream. If you missed it, you missed Cristiano Ronaldo proving he’s still the main character at 40 years old.
The scoreline read 2-2 after 120 minutes of absolute chaos at the Allianz Arena. Portugal ended up taking the trophy home after a 5-3 penalty shootout victory. It was one of those games where the "live score" didn't tell half the story. You had Lamine Yamal—the kid who wasn't even alive when Ronaldo made his Euro debut—tearing up the wing, and then you had the old guard refusing to blink.
What Actually Happened: Breaking Down the 2-2 Thriller
People keep searching for the latest updates because the rivalry is just that intense. In that June final, Spain drew first blood. Martin Zubimendi tapped one in at the 21st minute after a deflection off Ruben Dias. It felt like Spain was going to pass Portugal into oblivion.
But Nuno Mendes had other ideas.
Five minutes later, he just rocketed a low shot past Unai Simón. Then, right before the halftime whistle, Mikel Oyarzabal—who seems to only score in finals these days—put Spain back up 2-1.
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The second half was basically the "Ronaldo Show." He equalized in the 61st minute, snagging his 138th international goal. It wasn't a worldie; it was a pure predator’s goal, pouncing on a deflected pass. He eventually had to go off with a knock late in the game, which had everyone's heart in their mouths.
The Penalty Heartbreak
When it went to the shootout, the pressure was suffocating.
- Portugal's takers: Ruben Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, and Ruben Neves.
- The result: Five shots, five goals.
- Spain's collapse: Alvaro Morata, unfortunately, saw his effort saved by Diogo Costa.
It’s kinda ironic, right? Morata had been the hero in previous meetings, but this time, the "live score" ticked over to a Portuguese victory because of one missed step.
Where Are They Now? 2026 World Cup Outlook
We are currently in January 2026. If you're checking the portugal spain live score for today, January 17, there isn't a match on the calendar. Both teams have already secured their spots for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
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Portugal cruised through Group F in the qualifiers. Roberto Martínez has actually done a decent job of balancing the "Ronaldo factor" with the younger energy of Vitinha and Rafael Leão. Spain, meanwhile, topped Group E. They’re still playing that high-possession 4-3-3 under Luis de la Fuente, with Pedri and Gavi (finally healthy) pulling the strings in the middle.
Upcoming Key Dates
You'll want to set your alerts for June.
- June 17, 2026: Portugal kicks off their World Cup against a playoff winner in Houston.
- June 21, 2026: Spain faces Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.
- Potential Clash: Depending on how the brackets shake out, we could see an Iberian Derby in the knockout rounds.
The Head-to-Head Reality Check
People often think Spain dominates this matchup. Not quite. Statistically, it's a deadlock. Out of 41 meetings, Spain has 17 wins, Portugal has 7, and they’ve drawn a staggering 17 times. Basically, they're the two siblings who can't stop arguing but also can't live without each other.
The "boring" 0-0 draws of the early 2020s are hopefully behind us. The 2025 final showed that when both teams actually decide to attack, it’s arguably the best football on the planet.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re tracking these teams leading up to the World Cup, keep an eye on these specific threads:
- Ronaldo’s Fitness: He’s 41 now. Every "live score" update for his club side Al-Nassr is being scrutinized by the Portuguese medical staff.
- The Yamal Factor: He’ll be 18 by the time the World Cup starts. If Spain wants to win, he has to be the focal point, not just a flashy winger.
- Midfield Battle: Portugal’s Vitinha vs. Spain’s Rodri (if fully fit) or Zubimendi is where these games are won or lost.
Don't just look at the score. Look at the xG (Expected Goals). In their last meeting, Spain actually had a higher xG (2.06) compared to Portugal (1.02), yet they lost. Football is cruel like that.
To stay ahead of the game, bookmark the official FIFA match center for the June 11 World Cup kickoff. That's when the "live score" madness starts for real. If you’re betting, keep in mind that these two have drawn 40% of their matches over the last century—the "Draw" is often the smartest play on the board.