Mikel Merino delivered the decisive blow from the bench as Spain edged Portugal 1 to 0 in a tense World Cup round of 16 clash in Dallas, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance on the tournament’s biggest stage.
For most of the night, the meeting between two European powers looked destined for extra time. Spain had started brightly, with Dani Olmo releasing Mikel Oyarzabal inside the opening three minutes, only for the forward to pull his finish wide. Diogo Costa was then called into action, reacting well to keep out efforts from Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena as Spain searched for early control.
Portugal gradually found a foothold and almost punished Spain before the interval. Nuno Mendes struck a fierce left footed drive in the 41st minute, which deflected off Pedro Porro and crashed against the crossbar. Ronaldo had earlier tested Unai Simon in the 12th minute and later came close to reaching a Joao Felix knock down, but the first half ended without a breakthrough.
The second period was far more cautious. Roberto Martinez’s side looked more settled, while Ronaldo became increasingly isolated in attack. Bruno Fernandes fired into the side netting in the 76th minute, and Ruben Dias made an important block to deny Olmo at the other end. Still, clear chances were rare, and penalties seemed a realistic outcome, especially given the recent history between these rivals. Six of their previous seven meetings had finished level after 90 minutes, including the 2025 Nations League final, which Portugal won on penalties.
Then, in the 91st minute, Spain found their moment. After Rodri won a free kick, Ferran Torres moved the ball into Merino’s path. The Arsenal midfielder stayed composed and guided a low finish beyond Costa into the bottom corner, sending Spain into celebration and Portugal into heartbreak.
The result mirrors Spain’s 2010 knockout win over Portugal and books La Roja a quarter final meeting with either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday, 10 July at 20:00 BST.
For Ronaldo, now 41, this defeat carries deeper meaning. Having already indicated that this World Cup would be his last, the Portugal captain leaves the competition after a quiet night of only 19 touches, with just three inside the penalty area. At full time, 18 year old Yamal was among those consoling him, a powerful image of one era fading as another rises.
