World Cup Round of 16: USMNT Faces Belgium; Ronaldo’s Portugal Takes on Spain
On Monday, July 6, at 3 p.m. ET in Dallas, Portugal will clash with Spain in a match that holds a quarterfinal ticket at stake. This marks the 42nd meeting between these two football powerhouses, but only their third encounter in World Cup history. Their recent showdown was last summer during the UEFA Nations League Finals, where Portugal emerged victorious after a penalty shootout.
Spain enters this match after a commanding 3-0 win over Austria, while Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling comeback during the Round of 32. The victor here will face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles later this week.
USMNT Looks to Break Quarterfinal Drought Against Belgium
The United States Men's National Team has not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002. On Monday, July 6, at 8 p.m. ET in Seattle, they confront a familiar foe, Belgium. These teams met earlier this year in March during a friendly that ended in a 5-2 victory for Belgium. Yet, this US squad under Mauricio Pochettino shows promise as they push forward in the knockout stage.
An unexpected development boosts the US side: FIFA lifted striker Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension following a red card in a prior game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun, now the leading scorer for the US, will be available for this crucial match.
Belgium reached this round after a dramatic late rally to beat Senegal in the Round of 32. Their past three World Cups reflect a mix of outcomes — group stage exit, third place, and a quarterfinal appearance — showing an unpredictable trajectory.
