Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is preparing for Spain's round-of-16 clash with Portugal by backing Spain's midfield, claiming the current group is close to the 2010 World Cup-winning standard while his team also plans for the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo in Dallas on Monday.
Spain reached this stage after a 3-0 win over Austria in the last 32, while Portugal advanced following a tense meeting with Croatia. The tie in Dallas brings extra focus on midfield quality, with many observers highlighting Portugal's creative core and others pointing to Spain's control and depth.
Questions about how Spain's current midfield compares with the 2010 World Cup winners have followed De la Fuente throughout the tournament, especially with memories of Xavi,
Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta still strong, and with Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata and David Silva also part of that famous group, even though those three did not start the final against the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
Well, they're two great midfields, De la Fuente said in an interview with The Guardian, when asked to compare the 2010 and 2026 vintages. In my opinion, and I say this with the greatest of respect to everyone, we have the best midfield in the world. We have two players per position who are the best players. I can list them: Rodri, [Martin] Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, [Dani] Olmo, [Mikel] Merino, [Alex] Baena, Gavi, Fermin [Lopez], who isn't here. I have probably left someone out and they will get angry! Thatwas an extraordinary midfield as well [in 2010], it's true. Football changes, but I would put us at almost the same level.
De la Fuente's list underlines Spain's options in every central role, with Rodri and [Martin] Zubimendi offering security, Fabian Ruiz and [Mikel] Merino providing balance, while Pedri, [Dani] Olmo, [Alex] Baena and Gavi bring creativity, and Fermin [Lopez], who is not at this tournament, remains in the wider plans for future squads.
Portugal, though, arrive with their own strong midfield combination, built around Paris Saint-Germain pair Vitinha and Joao Neves alongside Bruno Fernandes. Many analysts rate that trio among the best in the tournament, yet De la Fuente maintains that Spain's central unit is at least their equal in quality and reliability over ninety minutes and beyond.
Spain midfield, Pedri statistics and World Cup impact
Pedri has become a central figure for De la Fuente during this World Cup, with data highlighting the playmaker's influence in attacking zones. Pedri has completed more passes in the final third, with a total of 122, than any other player at this World Cup, while Pedri's 1.54 expected assists is the highest figure recorded by any Spain player during the tournament so far.
He's a magician. It's about quality, talent, technical ability. I had a teacher at school who told us that the definition of talent is completing tasks of maximum difficulty without apparent effort. That is technique. Pedri is a maestro in that. He does things that are extremely difficult and it seems easy. Very few people can do that. He plays with an astonishing ease. He sees passes the rest of us don't see. That's something geniuses have.
Spain midfield context and Spain vs Portugal history
The strength of Spain's midfield shapes expectations for a tight contest against Portugal, a neighbour with a long record of tense World Cup and European Championship games against Spain. The teams have met five times at major tournaments, producing one win for each side and three draws, showing how finely balanced this international rivalry remains.
Those matches include the dramatic 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick for Portugal, and the Euro 2012 semi-final, which finished 0-0 after extra time before Spain progressed on penalties on the way to lifting the European title, a run that added to that generation's reputation for control and resilience under pressure.
Cristiano Ronaldo threat and pressure on Spain midfield
While much attention centres on both midfields in Dallas, Spain also need a plan for Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended a long wait for a World Cup knockout-stage goal against Croatia in the last 32, scoring from the penalty spot in the second half with his only touch inside the penalty area during that game, a statistic that intensified debate about Ronaldo's role.
The 41-year-old forward has faced questions throughout this tournament about whether starting every match is the best option for Portugal, yet Ronaldo's decisive penalty against Croatia showed that even limited involvement can change a knockout tie, a reality Spain must consider when managing defensive and midfield structure across different phases of the contest.
Gavi backs Cristiano and respects Spain midfield test
Spain midfielder Gavi rejects suggestions that Ronaldo's influence has faded, arguing that criticism usually comes from outside the Portugal squad. Gavi spoke to Mundo Deportivo ahead of the round-of-16 meeting and stressed that those sharing a dressing room with Ronaldo hold a very different view of the veteran forward's importance and experience.
I always hear that, but from people who are not on his team, from fans. Those who are on his team will have magnificent respect for him. Obviously, Cristiano is one of the best players in history, and he can make the difference at any moment. They're a great team with good players. I hope the team is focused on what we have to do, on the coach's plan, and that we will all work together to win this tie.
As Spain and Portugal prepare for another major tournament meeting, Spain's confidence in midfield depth, the form of Pedri and the respect shown towards Cristiano Ronaldo all shape expectations, with Dallas set to host a contest where control in central areas and one moment of attacking quality could again decide a knockout tie between these long-standing rivals.
