What happened: Cristiano Ronaldo said Lamine Yamal has a bright future and is performing well. He also emphasized Spain's collective quality ahead of their World Cup meeting with Portugal.
Why it matters: The praise adds context to a knockout matchup pairing an established star with one of Spain's emerging leaders. Ronaldo's focus on Spain's full team underscores the broader challenge facing Portugal.
By the numbers: Spain advanced with a 3-0 win over Austria, while Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 to reach the round of 16.
What to watch: Spain and Portugal meet Monday, with the winner advancing in the World Cup.