Portugal secured their place in the World Cup last 16 with a dramatic victory over Croatia, advancing through a tightly contested group stage despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The result confirms Portugal's progress in the tournament, though the challenge ahead grows considerably more demanding. Their next opponents are Spain — a heavyweight fixture that will test the squad's depth and resilience without their all-time talisman.

Portugal's ability to grind out a result against Croatia without relying on Ronaldo offers an encouraging sign for manager and squad alike. Winning under pressure, and doing so collectively, suggests the side have genuine resources to draw on as the knockout rounds begin.

Spain, however, represent a formidable obstacle. A clash between two Iberian rivals at a World Cup carries its own distinct weight, and Portugal will need to produce their finest football to progress further.

The dramatic nature of the win over Croatia will provide confidence, but the squad know the margin for error narrows sharply at this stage of the competition.