'The champions are back' - Spain find their groove heading into Portugal duel

[p]The mood in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] had been uneasy after a ‌goalless draw against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/MocyWdm7/"]Cape Verde[/a] and an injury-hit ‌buildup that disrupted key players including [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lamine-yamal/lAt3vEub/"]Lamine Yamal[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/williams-nico/Cp7lcVjJ/"]Nico Williams[/a].[/p][p]Those doubts were magnified by the standards Spain ‌had set for themselves after winning a ⁠record fourth European ‌Championship in Germany in 2024, when their blend of control, ​pace and sharp attacking football made them the benchmark in Europe.[/p][p]But Spain have gradually ​steadied. As Lamine regained match fitness, the rest of the team appeared to grow with him, ⁠and their performance ​against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/austria/naHiWdnt/"]Austria[/a] brought the clearest sign yet that they had recovered their rhythm.[/p][embed guid="d30f3b34-6ab6-4dbc-b503-9cfd276b1405" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2072787065922601235?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Austria failed to register a shot on target, while Spain controlled the match with ‌the assurance and authority that had been missing earlier in the tournament.[/p][p]The response at home was immediate.[/p][p][b]"The champions are back"[/b] and [b]"The promised Spain" [/b]were the headlines in Madrid-based newspaper AS. [b]"It was Showtime in Los Angeles," [/b]wrote Marca, while El Pais said, [b]"Spain regains its magic."[/b][/p][p]Spain now turn to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Cristiano Ronaldo[/a] in one of the standout ties ‌of the Round of 16.[/p][p]There is also unfinished ​business. Portugal beat Spain on penalties in ‌last year's Nations League final, the only real setback in an otherwise dominant recent run for De la Fuente's team.[/p][p]Spain are unbeaten in 34 matches and chasing their second World Cup ⁠title, 16 years after ⁠their first in ‌South Africa in 2010.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]