Spain’s Mikel Merino (6) celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal in the course of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
ARLINGTON–Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to place Spain within the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup profession on Monday.
The European champions will face Belgium, which defeated co-host United States, on Friday in Los Angeles.
In front of an expectant crowd of 70,649 on the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys, a match that on paper promised a lot didn’t deliver.
Beyond regular time looked certain, before fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the competition in the primary minute of injury time.
It meant a sour final World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who looked like he was choking back tears at the top.
Spain captain Rodri praised the “maturity” of his side.
“If anyone thinks that we are going to move forward without suffering, they’re mistaken,” he said.
“We knew we had to attend for the proper moment and it got here, even when in addition they had possibilities to win the sport,” added the Manchester City midfielder.
Heaping praise on match-winner Merino, who had only been on the pitch six minutes, Rodri said: “He’s a sensational player… one which I like.”
READ: Cristiano Ronaldo says it again: His sixth World Cup shall be his last
Ronaldo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this could be his last dance on football’s biggest stage.
One in every of the best players of all time has refused to say when he’ll end his international profession and was ineffective here.
The neighbors got here into the competition each unbeaten, but while Portugal had not been entirely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a goal within the tournament.
One in every of the pre-tournament favorites, they still haven’t.
For all its pedigree, talent and history, Spain has only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal’s best was third place in 1966.
In Ronaldo and Spain’s 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, the last-16 showdown was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers.
In reality neither lived as much as expectations on the day.
There was a sombre moment shortly before kickoff when a black-and-white image of the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota flashed up on the large screen that looms over the sphere.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after the top of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Spain must have been ahead with lower than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he someway pulled it well wide.
Portugal skipper Ronaldo had his first likelihood so as to add to his three goals in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a decent angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain cranked up the pressure, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession, the second a beautiful fingertip save.
Ronaldo — jeered and cheered in equal measure — was a marginal presence within the central attacking role he now occupies within the twilight of his profession.
Portugal ended the half on top and Roberto Martinez’s side were inches from taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro stuck out his head and directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his own crossbar.
The winger Yamal had endured a frustrating time up against Mendes, however the Paris Saint-Germain fullback was forced off injured after 56 minutes in a blow to Portugal.
The sport needed a spark and Ronaldo, well-known to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray.
Martinez made double changes on 71 and 83 minutes, but kept Ronaldo on.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
And in a game that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it on the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what went on before.