Portugal National Football Team vs Spain National Football Team Timeline
Soccer fans around the world get pumped up for big clashes. Few match the fire of Portugal versus Spain. These two neighbors share a long, passionate history on the field. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline stretches back over 100 years. It features stunning goals, tense draws, and dramatic wins. This Iberian Derby brings out the best in both sides.
Portugal brings speed and skill. Spain offers sharp passing and grit. Every match feels special. Fans in the USA watch with huge excitement too. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo make these games must-see events. This timeline shows how the rivalry grew. It highlights key moments that shaped both teams. Get ready for a fun journey through history.
This rivalry started simple. It grew into one of soccer’s greatest stories. Early games were mostly friendlies. Later, big tournaments added extra pressure. Portugal often fought hard against Spain’s strong squads. Both nations love winning.
The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline shows close battles. Draws happen often. Wins feel huge. Players rise to the occasion. Fans cheer loud. The energy is electric. Today, we look at every major chapter. You will see how each era built the legend.
Why This Rivalry Captivates Soccer Fans Everywhere
People love rivalries. They bring emotion and pride. Portugal and Spain sit next door. Their history includes old conflicts. But on the pitch, it’s pure competition. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline excites because both teams play bold styles. Portugal attacks fast. Spain controls the ball. Matches stay close. Goals come from magic moments.
Think of free kicks or quick counters. Fans from the USA tune in. Soccer grows fast here. These games show top talent. Ronaldo’s skills thrill everyone. Spain’s team play inspires too. The rivalry feels personal. Each win boosts national pride. Draws keep hope alive. This timeline proves why fans never miss a match.
Early Years: The 1920s and 1930s Beginnings
The story starts in 1921. Spain hosted Portugal in Madrid. Spain won 3-1. It was the first game. Portugal fought back in later matches. But Spain dominated early. In 1923, Spain won 3-0. Then came a big blowout in 1929. Spain crushed Portugal 5-0. The 1934 World Cup qualifiers were tough. Spain won 9-0 in Madrid. That remains the biggest win ever.
Portugal scored once in the return leg. Spain won 2-1. These early years built Spain’s edge. Portugal learned fast. They wanted respect. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline shows growth. Early losses taught lessons. Both teams improved. Friendlies kept the fire burning. Fans saw passion grow.
Breakthrough Moments: Portugal’s First Big Wins in the 1940s and 1950s
Portugal waited long for a victory. It came in 1947. In Lisbon, Portugal beat Spain 4-1. Joy exploded! This win changed things. Portugal showed they could compete. More success followed. In 1956, Portugal won 3-1 at home. The crowd roared. These victories boosted confidence.
World Cup qualifiers in 1950 ended in draws and losses. But Portugal kept pushing. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline gained balance. Spain still won often. Yet Portugal’s spirit shone. Players like Fernando Peyroteo scored big. These years marked progress. Rivalry heated up. Each game felt important.
Mid-Century Clashes: 1960s to 1980s Steady Battles
The 1960s brought more friendlies. Portugal won 2-1 in 1964. Excitement built. Draws were common too. In 1979, they tied 1-1. The 1980s added Euro drama. In Euro 1984, Portugal and Spain drew 1-1. Both advanced. Tension was high. Friendlies continued. Portugal won 2-0 in 1981. These matches showed skill. Players fought hard. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline grew richer. No side backed down. Draws kept fans on edge. Wins felt sweet. This era set the stage for bigger tournaments.
The 2004 Euro Shock: Portugal’s Home Win Over Spain
Portugal hosted Euro 2004. They faced Spain in the group stage. The game was huge. Portugal won 1-0. Nuno Gomes scored a beauty from distance. Spain went home early. Portugal reached the final. This victory felt massive. Home fans cheered wild. It ended Spain’s run. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline marked a turning point. Portugal proved they could win big. Confidence soared. Spain wanted revenge. This match remains iconic. Simple goal. Huge impact.
World Cup Drama: The 2010 Cape Town Classic
World Cup 2010 brought a knockout clash. Spain met Portugal in the round of 16. David Villa scored the only goal. Spain won 1-0. They went on to lift the trophy. Portugal fought hard. But Spain’s control was strong. The game was tight. Fans held their breath. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline added World Cup magic. This win helped Spain’s golden era. Portugal learned from it. Rivalry stayed fierce.
The Unforgettable 2018 World Cup: Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Magic
Russia 2018 gave us a classic. Portugal faced Spain in the group stage. Cristiano Ronaldo scored three times. Penalty first. Then header. Finally, a stunning free kick. Spain fought back. Diego Costa scored twice. Nacho added one. It ended 3-3. Ronaldo’s late equalizer thrilled everyone. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline hit a high. This draw felt like a win. Ronaldo’s performance was legendary. Fans still talk about it. Pure excitement!
Recent Battles: Nations League Tension in 2022
Nations League brought fresh clashes. In 2022, teams met twice. First in Seville. It ended 1-1. Ricardo Horta scored late for Portugal. Then in Braga. Spain won 1-0. Álvaro Morata got the goal. Portugal missed chances. Spain showed grit. These games kept the rivalry alive. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline added modern spice. Both teams wanted finals spots. Pressure was real. Fans loved every minute.
The Epic 2025 Nations League Final: Portugal’s Penalty Glory
June 2025 delivered a masterpiece. Portugal faced Spain in the Nations League final. Neutral ground in Munich. Goals flew. Zubimendi and Oyarzabal scored for Spain. Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo replied for Portugal. It ended 2-2 after extra time. Penalties decided it. Portugal won 5-3. Ronaldo lifted the trophy. Pure joy! The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline reached a peak. Portugal claimed their second Nations League title. Spain pushed hard. This win felt special.
Full Head-to-Head Timeline Table
Here is a clear table of all 41 matches in the Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline. Scores show Portugal first.
| Date | Competition | Score | Venue/Notes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 1921 | Friendly | 1-3 | Madrid | Spain |
| 17 Dec 1922 | Friendly | 1-2 | Portugal | Spain |
| 16 Dec 1923 | Friendly | 0-3 | Spain | Spain |
| 17 May 1925 | Friendly | 0-2 | Portugal | Spain |
| 10 Jan 1928 | Friendly | 2-2 | Portugal | Draw |
| 17 Mar 1929 | Friendly | 0-5 | Spain | Spain |
| 30 Nov 1930 | Friendly | 0-1 | Portugal | Spain |
| 02 Apr 1933 | Friendly | 0-3 | Spain | Spain |
| 11 Mar 1934 | World Cup Qual | 0-9 | Spain | Spain |
| 18 Mar 1934 | World Cup Qual | 1-2 | Portugal | Spain |
| 05 May 1935 | Friendly | 3-3 | Portugal | Draw |
| 12 Jan 1941 | Friendly | 2-2 | Portugal | Draw |
| 16 Mar 1941 | Friendly | 1-5 | Spain | Spain |
| 13 Mar 1945 | Friendly | 2-2 | Portugal | Draw |
| 06 May 1945 | Friendly | 2-4 | Spain | Spain |
| 26 Jan 1947 | Friendly | 4-1 | Portugal | Portugal |
| 20 Mar 1948 | Friendly | 0-2 | Spain | Spain |
| 20 Mar 1949 | Friendly | 1-1 | Portugal | Draw |
| 02 Apr 1950 | World Cup Qual | 1-5 | Spain | Spain |
| 09 Apr 1950 | World Cup Qual | 2-2 | Portugal | Draw |
| 03 Jun 1956 | Friendly | 3-1 | Portugal | Portugal |
| 13 Apr 1958 | Friendly | 0-1 | Spain | Spain |
| 15 Nov 1964 | Friendly | 2-1 | Portugal | Portugal |
| 26 Sep 1979 | Friendly | 1-1 | Spain | Draw |
| 20 Jun 1981 | Friendly | 2-0 | Portugal | Portugal |
| 17 Jun 1984 | Euro Group | 1-1 | Marseille | Draw |
| 16 Jan 1991 | Friendly | 1-1 | Spain | Draw |
| 15 Jan 1992 | Friendly | 0-0 | Portugal | Draw |
| 19 Jan 1994 | Friendly | 2-2 | Spain | Draw |
| 13 Feb 2002 | Friendly | 1-1 | Spain | Draw |
| 06 Sep 2003 | Friendly | 0-1 | Portugal | Spain |
| 20 Jun 2004 | Euro Group | 1-0 | Lisbon | Portugal |
| 29 Jun 2010 | World Cup R16 | 0-1 | Cape Town | Spain |
| 17 Nov 2010 | Friendly | 4-0 | Portugal | Portugal |
| 27 Jun 2012 | Euro Semi (pens) | 0-0 (2-4 pens) | Donetsk | Spain |
| 15 Jun 2018 | World Cup Group | 3-3 | Sochi | Draw |
| 07 Oct 2020 | Friendly | 0-0 | Portugal | Draw |
| 04 Jun 2021 | Friendly | 0-0 | Spain | Draw |
| 02 Jun 2022 | Nations League | 1-1 | Portugal | Draw |
| 27 Sep 2022 | Nations League | 0-1 | Portugal | Spain |
| 08 Jun 2025 | Nations League Final (pens) | 2-2 (5-3 pens) | Munich | Portugal |
Overall: Played 41, Portugal 7 wins, Spain 18 wins, 16 draws.
Key Players Who Made This Rivalry Legendary
Cristiano Ronaldo shines bright. His 2018 hat-trick amazed. He scored in 2025 too. Spain has stars like David Villa and Álvaro Morata. Early heroes like Isidro Lángara scored many. Telmo Zarra was deadly. These players created magic. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline owes them a lot. Their goals and saves live forever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many times have Portugal and Spain played? They met 41 times. Portugal won 7. Spain won 18. Draws happened 16 times. The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline shows close fights.
2. What is the biggest win in this rivalry? Spain won 9-0 in 1934 World Cup qualifier. It was tough for Portugal. But they bounced back over time.
3. Did Portugal ever win a major tournament game against Spain? Yes! In Euro 2004, Portugal won 1-0. Nuno Gomes scored. In 2025 Nations League final, Portugal won on penalties.
4. What was Ronaldo’s best moment against Spain? His hat-trick in 2018 World Cup. Three goals in a 3-3 draw. Unforgettable!
5. Are there any recent matches after 2025? No. The last was the 2025 Nations League final. Portugal won on penalties. Fans wait for the next clash.
6. Why is this rivalry called the Iberian Derby? Both countries are on the Iberian Peninsula. Neighbor pride fuels the fire. Every game feels big.
Final Thoughts: Keep Watching This Epic Rivalry
The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline is full of thrills. From 1921 to 2025, matches delivered drama. Wins, draws, and goals keep fans hooked. Portugal showed heart. Spain showed class. Stars like Ronaldo made history. Soccer fans in the USA and everywhere love it. What is your favorite moment? Share in the comments. Who wins next? Stay tuned. This rivalry never ends. It gets better every time!
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