Cristiano Ronaldo goes up against several of his Real Madrid teammates, who will come out on top?
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo: AFP)
Portugal vs Spain is the first clash of the heavyweights at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the lineups for Friday’s tie at the Fisht Stadium are out.
Fernando Santos has sent the European champions out in a flat 4-4-2, with Rui Patricio guarding the goal.
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Cedric Soares, Pep, Jose Fonte and Raphael Guerreiro are the back-four while Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Joao Moutinho and Bruno Fernandes complete the midfield.
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Star man and skipper Cristiano Ronaldo starts up top with young phenom Goncalo Guedes.
Este é o nosso 11 para o jogo frente a Espanha! Força, Portugal! #ConquistaOSonho #PORESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fElTEIBIzV
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 15, 2018
Spain, still reeling from Julen Lopetegui’s unceremonious dismissal a bare 24 hours prior to their fixture against their neighbours, are lining up in their customary 4-2-3-1.
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David de Gea starts in goal and has a four-man defence of Jodi Alba, captain Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Nacho in front of him.
Sergio Busquets partners Koke in the central midfield pivot while the likes of David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Isco feature ahead.
The tempestuous Diego Costa leads the line for the 2010 winners.
🚨 OFICIAL | ¡Ya tenemos XI!
¡Ellos llevan nuestro escudo! ¡Portan la fuerza y la ilusión de todo un país!
¡VAMOS, ESPAÑA!💪🏻🇪🇸#HagamosQueOcurra #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/LG1bM8LrlB
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) June 15, 2018
The match kicks off in about an hour, at 23.30 IST.
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