The FIFA World Cup 2018 took off in fine fashion last night as hosts Russia handed Saudi Arabia a 5-0 thrashing in the first match of the tournament. Today, however, will see big dogs Spain take on the Euro 2016 champions, Portugal, in one of the biggest games of the group stage. Portugal vs Spain LIVE | World Cup Score | Portugal Live | Spain Live Spain will look to brush off all the hubbub surrounding their last-minute managerial change by giving it their all in what could prove to be their most important group stage game. Sergio Ramos and co. will be well aware of what this Portugal side are capable of, with talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks. The Spaniards enter the competition looking to stake a claim for their second FIFA World Cup trophy, having won the 2010 edition in South Africa. Fernando Hierro, Spain's new manager, will certainly understand the significance of this game, and will ostensibly look to field his best possible side to take on Portugal later tonight. How will Spain line up? There will be little doubt as to who Spain's custodian will be. With David de Gea in the side, Hierro will have to look no further than the Premier League Golden Glove winner. Guarding him will be the intimidating pair of Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Barcelona's Gerard Pique. Jordi Alba is the most likely pick for the left-back position, while the right-back slot, in Dani Carvajal's absence, could well be gifted to Álvaro Odriozola despite his unimpressive performance in the friendly against Tunisia. The midfield will most likely comprise of Sergio Busquets in the centre, with Andres Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara on either side. Busquets is expected to play an out-and-out holding role, while Thiago will be tasked with maintaining as much possession of the ball as possible. Iniesta will play a more attacking role, drifting forward everytime La Furia Roja have the ball. The front line could see Diego Costa being flanked by Isco and David Silva on either wing, both of whom are more than capable of providing creative inputs. Spain XI and Formation Spain's Predicted Starting XI vs Portugal Spain have faced Portugal 35 times in the past, of which 5 were at the World Cup. Spain won 4 of those while the other encounter witnessed a 1-1 draw. Fernando Hierro's side will look to maintain their unbeaten World Cup record against the Portuguese, as the winner of tonight's game is almost certain to finish atop Group B. Follow Sportskeeda for 2018 World Cup Scores, Latest News & Updates, Match Analysis, Detailed Stats, Fantasy Tips, Controversies, Match Predictions and much more.<doc-sep>ALSO READ: ALSO READ: MOSCOW: Has Real Madrid done a good turn to Cristiano Ronaldo ? For all the good work he has done in a Los Blancos shirt – four Champions League titles out of which three on the bounce?A little contrived, but still a thought to ponder. Well, someone in Krastovo is having a quiet chuckle for sure. Not because Ronaldo is afraid of any opposition, he is way too far ahead of shying away from a fight. And the enemy’s condition has never been Ronaldo’s concern, neither should it be.That the Catalan-Castillian animosity will rear its head in Russia and claim the scalp of Julen Loetegui two days before their first outing, was unthinkable. Yet it happened and Ronaldo, like the rest of the interested parties, would have followed the thriller as a comic relief.To assume Spain will be weakened by the sudden change at the top will be totally misplaced. A little out of focus they could be, which might remind Portugal’s elder statesman his days in the national team shirt, still wet behind the ears. It was Euro 2004, when Portugal got the better of Spain in the group stage. Ronaldo, all of 19, was an aspiring actor on that night in Lisbon, where Nuno Gomes played the hero. That story did not have a happy ending, though.It took 12 long, arduous years for Ronaldo to direct and play the lead role in a famous victory on the Seine embankment. It had a hint of a sad ending though, when Ronaldo, the Portuguese captain, Real Madrid icon with 320 million followers on social media, had to leave the Stade de France pitch 24 minutes into the game after an injury. Still, Portugal got the better of hosts France and Ronaldo achieved something that Eusebio and Luis Figo did not, a senior continental title.Now, 33, he is competing in his fourth World Cup, a trophy that is missing from his ever-expanding cabinet. He will be meeting six of his Madrid mates in Sochi, who will be baying for his blood on Friday evening. It would be a fascinating duel of the ‘frenemies’.Fernando Santos, the Portugal coach, has wanted the team to keep a quiet profile and so far he has been successful.Still, he could not keep the noise from travelling to Portugal’s camp following the Krasnodor meltdown in the Spanish camp.At the World Cup so far, Ronaldo has managed just three goals in three tournaments: one against Iran (a penalty) in 2006, one against North Korea in 2010 and one against Ghana in 2014.Travelling across the Atlantic four years ago, with an unhealed leg injury, Ronaldo looked a sorry sight.The showman needs one last big blockbuster and Lopetegui saga may have just given him the boost to script a beautiful story.<doc-sep>Cristiano Ronaldo became the first to score a hat-trick against Spain in the World Cup finals. (AP Photo) Cristiano Ronaldo became the first to score a hat-trick against Spain in the World Cup finals. (AP Photo) The 2018 World Cup just coughed up a classic. This match had everything, starting from an early penalty, a goalkeeping blooper by none other than David De Gea, an absolute screamer from Nacho Fernandez which was the second of two goals scored within three minutes that helped Spain overturn a 2-1 deficit and finally, a top-drawer Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick that helped him complete his hat-trick. Spain conceded just three goals in their entire qualification campaign and Ronaldo knocked as many goals past them in the very first match. The World Cup opening ceremony may have been on Thursday, but we can now say that it has well and truly arrived.<doc-sep>FIFA World Cup 2018: Portugal vs Spain clash will see two Real Madrid stars going head-to-head. FIFA World Cup 2018: Portugal vs Spain clash will see two Real Madrid stars going head-to-head. When the draw for the World Cup was made, Portugal vs Spain stood out as one of the big games from the group stages in Russia. It put together the Iberian neighbours and many players who share the same heritage going head-to-head. It effectively put one of the favourites for the title against a team captained by World Player of the Year. Ahead of the showdown, Spain’s biggest concern had been over injuries and who to pick in a squad that has multiple strong candidates. For Portugal, finding the right combination is also the biggest concern. Deep down, many would still pick Spain to start off with three points but the dressing room has been thrown into disarray after manager Julen Lopetegui’s sacking merely 48 hours from first game in dramatic events over the course of two days. If the off-field drama is seen on the field, expect a more even game and more drama. On the field of play, a lot could boil down to small mistakes with four games between these two, at major tournaments, producing just four goals with Spain winning two and losing one. And someone who would be hoping to latch on to small mistakes would be Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Although, standing in to stop him from doing so will be Spain’s Sergio Ramos. Fact that both players play for Real Madrid will help in reading each others’ frailties. But, club allegiances go out the window when it comes to the World Cup. Just ask Wayne Rooney. Captain vs Captain – Ronaldo vs Ramos: Two of the shrewdest men to take the pitch and two men who don’t like to lose and do all that is necessary to win – fight, argue, or even look to gain undue advantage by asking for a card for an opponent. Ronaldo has yet to find the back of the net against Spain and exited from the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships at the hands of La Roja. One would expect Ramos, alongside Gerard Pique, to keep his physical approach in check against Ronaldo but if push comes to shove, don’t expect either to back down and plenty of cracking football. Head-to-head Spain and Portugal have met 35 times with 16 wins for Spain, six wins for Portugal and 13 draws. The only World Cup meeting came in 2010 when Spain won 1-0 in the last-16 thanks to a goal by David Villa. Portugal Portugal are looking to become the fourth side to win back-to-back European Championships and World Cup after West Germany, France and Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 15 goals and created three in the qualifying stages. But is yet to find the goal in four games, or 340 minutes, against Spain. Portugal have lost only once in their last nine World Cup group games, a 4-0 loss to Germany in 2014. Portugal manager Fernando Santos has led each of his sides to knockouts in a major competition – Greece to quarters of Euro 2012 and last-16 at the 2014 World Cup and Portugal all the way to the title in 2016. Spain Spain have finished top of their group in three of their last four World Cups. However, Spain have won only two of their last 12 opening games – three draws and seven defeats. This is Spain’s 11th consecutive World Cup appearance – their longest streak of participation. None of Spain’s last 14 World Cup games have ended in a draw – winning 10 and losing four. Spain were one of the four teams to remain unbeaten in European qualifying alongside England, Germany and Belgium.<doc-sep>
World Cup 2018 is up and running with Russia thrashing Saudi Arabia on the opening day. The Euro 2016 champions kickoff their World Cup campaign tonight vs Spain. The 2010 World champions will be a very tough opponent for Portugal but this team is capable of beating anyone on their day. Portugal vs Spain LIVE | World Cup Score | Portugal Live | Spain Live Spain are under new manager, Fernando Hierro, who took over from Julen Lopetegui. The Real Madrid manager was sacked by RFEF after he signed a deal with Los Blancos behind their back. Portugal will try to make the most of the chaos in the Spain camp and steal a win tonight. The European heavyweights are favourites to qualify from Group B and the winner of this game is likely to end up on top of the table. Team News There are no injury concerns for Portugal and that gives Fernando Santos a selection headache. Selecting a partner for Pepe at the heart of the defence and one for Cristiano Ronaldo upfront is going to be the most tedious task. Santos has Jose Fonte, Bruno Alves and Bruno Fernandes to pick from in the defence. All three have been in good touch and have done all they can to earn a starting XI spot. Meanwhile, in the attack, Goncalo Guedes and Andre Silva will be fighting for the starting role beside Ronaldo. Bernardo Silva is expected to play on the right wing with Bruno Fernandes on the left side. Portugal XI and Formation Portugal predicted Starting XI vs Spain This will be the 6th meeting between the two sides at the World Cup. 4 of the previous games have been won by Spain while the other ended as a 1-1 draw. Portugal will be hoping to break the jinx and win for the first time against the Spanish opponents.