Mikel Merino’s dramatic late winner sent Spain into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after a 1-0 victory over Portugal, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career to a likely end.
The Arsenal midfielder struck in the first minute of stoppage time after fellow substitute Ferran Torres created the opening, calmly finishing from close range to break the deadlock in a tightly contested last-16 encounter at the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium.
The result sees European champions Spain move into the quarter-finals, where they will face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.
Despite the presence of some of football’s biggest names, including Ronaldo and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, the highly anticipated clash failed to produce the attacking spectacle many had expected, with both sides struggling to create clear chances for long periods.
Spain, who entered the match without conceding a goal at the tournament, maintained their defensive record while securing another crucial victory on their path towards a second World Cup title.
Portugal, meanwhile, saw their campaign end in disappointment, with the defeat marking what is expected to be Ronaldo’s final appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
The 41-year-old forward had confirmed before the match that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, and his farewell ended on a disappointing note as Portugal failed to find a way past Spain’s defence.
The match began with Spain immediately threatening, as Dani Olmo set up Mikel Oyarzabal inside the opening 10 minutes, but the forward dragged his effort wide with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat.
Ronaldo later tested Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón with a powerful effort from a tight angle, but Luis de la Fuente’s side gradually took control, with Yamal and Álex Baena forcing saves from Costa.
Portugal finished the first half strongly and came close to taking the lead when Pedro Porro’s attempted clearance from a Nuno Mendes strike deflected onto the crossbar.
Spain’s young winger Yamal endured a difficult battle against Mendes, who limited his influence before being forced off with an injury early in the second half.
Just when the contest looked destined for extra time, Luis de la Fuente’s substitutions proved decisive. Merino’s late intervention finally broke Portugal’s resistance, ensuring Spain maintained their perfect defensive record in the tournament while ending the European neighbours’ World Cup campaign.
For Ronaldo, the defeat closes another chapter in a remarkable international career that has seen him become Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players in football history, but without the World Cup trophy that has eluded him throughout his career.
