Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portugal, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo’sillustrious World Cup career to an end.
The European champions looked set for extra time in front of 70,649 fans at the Dallas Stadium before Merino calmly slotted home in the first minute of added time after being set up by fellow substitute Ferran Torres.
The result sends Spain into the last eight, where they will face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles.
For Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, the defeat marked an emotional farewell to football’s biggest stage. The 41-year-old had confirmed before the match that the 2026 tournament would be his final FIFA World Cup appearance, ending a remarkable career that spanned six editions of the competition.
Despite entering the contest unbeaten, Portugal struggled to break down Spain’s disciplined defence, which has now gone the entire tournament without conceding a goal.
Spain created the better chances in the opening half, with Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal all threatening, while Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced several fine saves to keep his side in the game.
Portugal came closest before halftime when Pedro Porro inadvertently headed Nuno Mendes’ effort onto his own crossbar, while Ronaldo tested goalkeeper Unai Simón with a powerful effort from a tight angle.
The match also paused for a poignant tribute to the late Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, whose image was displayed on the stadium’s giant screen before kickoff.
As the game drifted toward extra time, Spain found the breakthrough when Torres slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Merino, who kept his composure to fire home the winner and seal Spain’s progression.
Spain will now continue their quest for a second FIFA World Cup title, while Portugal exit the tournament with Ronaldo’s historic World Cup journey coming to a close.
