Portugal claim cricket revenge on Spain after World Cup exit

Portugal have found an unexpected way to avenge their FIFA World Cup heartbreak against Spain, winning a decisive T20 clash on the cricket field just over a month after being eliminated by their neighbours in football.

Portugal defeated Spain by 57 runs in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier C in 2026, ending Spain’s campaign and keeping their own dream of reaching the 2028 T20 World Cup alive. The win sends Portugal into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in 2027.

Football defeat sets the stage

The football defeat came in July, when Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, USA. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in stoppage time of regulation, sending Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This time it was Portugal celebrating at Spain’s expense on a cricket pitch.

Portugal post 160/6 in qualifying final

Led by former Australia international Moises Henriques, Portugal produced a composed performance. Spain captain Christian Munoz-Mills won the toss and elected to field, but Portugal built a competitive total of 160/6.

Dhavalkumar Norotam made 23 and Christopher De Freitas scored 39 as Portugal made a steady start without quite dominating the Spanish attack. Henriques contributed 18 but could not convert his start into a substantial innings.

Portugal accelerated late through Craig Cachopa, who struck 25 off 21 balls, while Carlos Nunes added 15 off nine. Jeremy Martins provided an important final push with an unbeaten 18 off just eight deliveries.

Yasir Ali and Lorne Burns were Spain’s best bowlers, taking two wickets apiece.

Bowlers seal 57-run win

Spain’s chase initially threatened to become interesting, but Portugal’s bowlers quickly applied the brakes. Sebastian de Oliveira made the breakthrough early, while Martins also chipped in as Portugal reduced Spain to 32/3.

Yasir Ali and Daniel Doyle Calle began rebuilding and gave Spain hope of mounting a serious chase. The complexion changed in the 11th over when Siraj Ullah Khadem bowled Yasir for 29. With the pitch making life difficult for incoming batters, Portugal steadily tightened their grip.

Khadem finished with impressive figures of 2/19, while Edward Fleming delivered the decisive blow with a three-wicket haul for just 13 runs. Spain’s promising chase turned into a procession, and Martins completed the job by bowling Lorne Burns as Portugal wrapped up a 57-run victory.

Qualification picture

The triumph sends Portugal into the Europe Qualifier in 2027, putting them one step closer to a place in the global qualifying tournament for the 2028 T20 World Cup. Portugal join Jersey and Denmark in the Europe Qualifier, while Scotland enter directly because of exceptional circumstances surrounding their participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Italy and the Netherlands advance directly to the Global Qualifier.

For Portugal, the result offers a wonderfully light-hearted twist to their recent sporting rivalry with Spain: Spain may have won the football battle, but Portugal have claimed the cricket rematch.