Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain into the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career on Monday. The match, played at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in front of 70,649 spectators, was a tense affair that failed to live up to its billing until Merino's composed finish in the first minute of injury time.
Decisive Moment
With extra time looming, fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped the ball to Merino, who calmly slotted home to settle the contest. The goal came after a cagey 90 minutes where clear chances were at a premium. Spain, the European champions, will now face either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.
The result meant a sour final World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who confirmed on the eve of the match that this tournament would be his last. Playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo had scored three goals in North America but was a marginal presence in the central attacking role, often jeered and cheered in equal measure by the crowd.
Match Summary
Both teams entered the match unbeaten, but Spain had been particularly impressive, not conceding a goal in the tournament. That record remained intact. Portugal had been less convincing, despite their unbeaten run. The match was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers: Ronaldo and Spain's 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal.
Spain should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal, but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he pulled his shot wide. Ronaldo had his first chance soon after, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a tight angle. Spain cranked up the pressure, with Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession, the second requiring a wonderful fingertip save.
Second Half Drama
Portugal ended the first half on top and came close to taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro inadvertently directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his own crossbar. Yamal had a frustrating time against Mendes, but the Paris Saint-Germain full-back was forced off injured after 56 minutes, a blow to Portugal.
The game needed a spark, and Ronaldo, well known to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez made double changes on 71 and 83 minutes but kept Ronaldo on. Ultimately, it was Spain's Arsenal midfielder Merino who won it at the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what went on before.
For all their pedigree, Spain have only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal's best finish was third place in 1966. This victory keeps Spain's hopes of a second title alive as they head to Los Angeles for the quarter-final.
