World Cup 2018: Portugal v Spain Preview, Kick-Off Time, Starting Line-Ups, Predictions
The 2018 World Cup is on the way and games are coming thick and fast, and it’s now time for the first blockbuster clash as Portugal play Spain in Group B.
Spain vs Portugal is one of the most anticipated games of the Group stage which is going to start in few hours.
The 2010 World Cup Champions will be having their debut game against the 2016 Euro Champions.
Head To Head
Spain and Portugal had several matches in the history of football. But, it seems like Portugal has not won for a single time in their match against Spain in the World Cup history.
They had the first World Cup face-off in 1934, where Portugal faced a humiliating defeat in a 9-0 loss against the opposing team on 11 Mar 1934. Spain had a 2-1 victory over Portugal for the second time on 18 Mar 1934.
The 1950 World Cup also gone somehow bad for Portugal, as it ended in a 5-1 loss for Portugal in the match against Spain on 02 April 1950. The second match of 1950 World Cup between them on 09 Apr 1950, ended with a 2-2 draw.
Spain won for the third time in the 2010 World Cup match against Portugal on 29 Jun 2010.
Kick-Off Time
The game will start at 7 pm GMT (3 pm US time) on June 15, 2018. The match will be played at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi.
Players To Watch
There is always a question in every game, Which player will show up a better performance in the game.
Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo who could be named Portugal’s key player winning the Euro 2016 final. Other players; Ricardo Carvalho, Joao Mario, Gelson Martins, and Andre Silva are other players to watch in the upcoming match against Spain.
Spain has Sergio Ramos who can change the game and also other players like David de Gea, Pepe Reina, Sergio Busquets, and Andres Iniesta who are worth watching in the upcoming game.
Line-Ups
| # | Portugal | # | Spain |
| 1 | RUI PATRICIO | 1 | DE GEA |
| 3 | PEPE | 3 | PIQUÉ |
| 5 | RAPHAEL | 4 | NACHO |
| 6 | FONTE | 5 | SERGIO |
| 7 | RONALDO (C) | 6 | A. INIESTA |
| 8 | J. MOUTINHO | 8 | KOKE |
| 11 | BERNARDO | 15 | RAMOS (C) |
| 14 | WILLIAM | 18 | JORDI ALBA |
| 16 | B. FERNANDES | 19 | DIEGO COSTA |
| 17 | G. GUEDES | 21 | SILVA |
| 21 | CÉDRIC | 22 | ISCO |
BENCH
| 2 | B. ALVES | 2 | CARVAJAL |
| 4 | M. FERNANDES | 7 | SAÚL |
| 9 | ANDRÉ SILVA | 9 | RODRIGO M. |
| 10 | J. MÁRIO | 10 | THIAGO |
| 12 | LOPES (GK) | 11 | LUCAS V. |
| 13 | RUBEN DIAS | 12 | ODRIOZOLA |
| 15 | RICARDO | 13 | ARRIZABALAGA (GK) |
| 18 | GELSON | 14 | AZPILICUETA |
| 19 | MÁRIO RUI | 16 | MONREAL |
| 20 | QUARESMA | 17 | IAGO ASPAS |
| 22 | BETO (GK) | 20 | ASENSIO |
| 23 | ADRIEN | 23 | REINA (GK) |
Who will win today's match? Who will meet the expectations of the viewers?
More to watch and experience in this most exciting clash that is going to start in few moments.