FIFA 2026: Spain edge Portugal to reach World Cup quarterfinals as Ronaldo bows out

ARLINGTON, TEXAS: Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after substitute Mikel Merino struck deep into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in their Round of 16 encounter on Monday in Arlington, Texas.

Merino, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, found the winner in the opening minute of second-half added time, sending La Roja into the last eight of the tournament for the first time since their triumphant 2010 World Cup campaign.

Spain will now face Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California, after the Red Devils cruised to a 4-1 victory over the United States in another Round of 16 fixture.

The defeat is expected to bring an end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious World Cup career. The 41-year-old forward scored three goals during the tournament, matching the record of six World Cup appearances.

Despite his remarkable longevity and goal-scoring exploits, Ronaldo’s World Cup journey is set to conclude without a final appearance. Portugal’s best finish during his international career came in 2006, when they reached the semifinals. His long-time rival, Lionel Messi, lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 after previously finishing as runner-up in 2014.

Merino’s winner, his first goal of the tournament after scoring six for Spain in qualifying, came after what was a largely uneventful second half, and from a seemingly innocent restart well beyond the penalty arc.

Fellow substitutes Ferran Torres and Fabian Ruiz combined through the middle to play Merino into the penalty area alone, where his low finish beat the charging Diogo Costa inside the left post.

Dormant for most of the second half, Portugal’s attack finally showed signs of life in search of a miracle equalizer. Bernardo Silva came closest to leveling with a header narrowly over the bar six minutes into the added time.

But it would have been undeserved, with Portugal barely testing goalkeeper Unai Simon. He finished with only two saves, keeping Spain the only team in this tournament yet to concede.

Spain had the better start. Mikel Oyarzabal missed wide in the ninth minute after an excellent early attack solved Portugal’s offside trap, and eight minutes later, Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena forced Costa into a double save.

Portugal grew into the half. Ronaldo forced Simon into a leaping but ultimately comfortable save in the 37th minute, and four minutes later, Nuno Mendes’ thunderously struck attempt deflected off Pedro Porro and then the crossbar.