Sweet Revenge: Portugal Downs Spain in Cricket to Ease Football World Cup Sting
In a poetic turn of events, Portugal has managed to extract a measure of sporting revenge against their cross-border rivals, Spain. Just over a month after a painful exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of the Spanish, Portugal has found redemption—not on the football pitch, but on the cricket field.
In a clinical display, Portugal defeated Spain by 57 runs in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier C, effectively ending Spain’s tournament run while keeping their own aspirations for the 2028 T20 World Cup alive.
A Turnaround on the Pitch
The victory offered a cathartic moment for Portuguese sports fans. Back in July, the football rivalry reached a boiling point during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Arlington, Texas. In that encounter, a late stoppage-time goal from Mikel Merino sealed a 1-0 win for Spain, knocking Cristiano Ronaldo’s side out of the competition.
However, in the cricket arena, the tables were turned. Led by former Australian international Moises Henriques, the Portuguese side executed a composed and dominant game plan.
How the Match Was Won
After Spain captain Christian Munoz-Mills opted to bowl first, Portugal set about building a competitive total. Despite a steady start, the middle order struggled to accelerate until a late flurry from Craig Cachopa (25 off 21) and Carlos Nunes (15 off 9). A vital cameo from Jeremy Martins—who smashed 18* off just 8 balls—propelled Portugal to a fighting total of 160/6.
Spain’s pursuit began with early promise, but Portugal’s bowlers proved too disciplined. After Sebastian de Oliveira and Jeremy Martins reduced Spain to 32/3, a brief partnership between Yasir Ali and Daniel Doyle Calle offered a glimmer of hope. That momentum was extinguished in the 11th over when Siraj Ullah Khadem dismissed Ali for 29.
From there, the Spanish chase collapsed. Edward Fleming spearheaded the late-order destruction, claiming an impressive 3/13. When Martins returned to bowl Lorne Burns, the writing was on the wall: Spain were all out, leaving Portugal 57-run victors.
Moving Up the Rankings
This victory is a significant milestone for Portuguese cricket. The result secures their passage to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in 2027, bringing them one step closer to the global qualifying stage for the 2028 event.
Portugal will now join Jersey and Denmark in the regional qualifiers. Meanwhile, Scotland has earned a direct entry due to their performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and heavyweights Italy and the Netherlands have bypassed this stage to advance directly to the Global Qualifier.
For the Portuguese faithful, the win serves as a refreshing reminder that in the unpredictable world of international sport, every defeat carries the potential for a swift and satisfying comeback.
