Portugal have found a rather unexpected way to avenge their FIFA World Cup heartbreak against Spain.

Just over a month after Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. were knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by their neighbours, Portugal got one back â not on a football pitch, but on a cricket field.

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 football defeat had come in July, when Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, USA. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in stoppage time of regulation time, sending Ronaldo's Portugal out of the tournament.

This time, though, it was Portugal celebrating at Spain's expense.

Portugal turn the tables on Spain

Led by former Australia international

Moises Henriques, Portugal produced a composed performance to claim the crucial qualifying victory.

Spain captain Christian Munoz-Mills won the toss and chose 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 managing to dominate the Spanish attack.

Henriques, meanwhile, contributed 18 but could not convert his start into a substantial innings.

Portugal accelerated late in the innings 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.

Spain's chase initially threatened to become interesting, but Portugal's bowlers quickly put the brakes on the pursuit.

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 then began rebuilding the innings and gave Spain hope of mounting a serious chase.

Portugal close the door on Spain

Siraj Ullah Khadem changed the complexion of the contest in the 11th over when he 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 soon turned into a procession, and Martins completed the job by bowling Lorne Burns as Portugal wrapped up a 57-run victory.

The triumph sends Portugal into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 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 the exceptional circumstances surrounding their participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Italy and the Netherlands, meanwhile, 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.