A late Mikel Merino strike ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup story and sent Spain into the quarter-finals, a 1-0 win over Portugal in Dallas turning a tense Portugal-Spain match at the last.
Portugal had arrived in the Round of 16 after a 2-1 comeback against Croatia shaped by late drama and refereeing controversy. This time, the final twist went against them — and on the balance of play, Spain made it count.
Merino breaks Portugal at the last
The winner came in the first minute of added time. Merino restarted quickly from a foul, Rodri found Ferran Torres between the lines, and Torres moved the ball back into Merino’s run behind Portugal’s defence before the midfielder beat Diogo Costa.
Portugal still had one last opening. In the final seconds, Bernardo Silva met a cross with his head from a strong position but sent the chance over, leaving Spain to celebrate and Portugal to absorb the end.
Spain turn pressure into deserved control
The match had threatened to break open much earlier. Mikel Oyarzabal forced Costa into an early save and then missed when played through in the 8th minute, while João Cancelo tested Unai Simón at the other end.
Ronaldo appealed for a penalty after a Portugal corner in the 10th minute, but referee Anthony Taylor did not intervene. Soon after, Ronaldo’s first shot was saved by Simón, before Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo helped Spain keep the pressure building.
Portugal’s clearest first-half moment came in the 41st minute when Nuno Mendes smashed a left-footed strike against the bar. After the break, Mendes later went off injured in the 56th minute, and Spain gradually tightened their grip.
The numbers matched the feeling of the night: Spain had 56% possession, 15 shots to Portugal’s 9, 6 on target to 2, and 7 corners to 3. Portugal were never passive, but Spain carried the heavier attacking rhythm.
Ronaldo leaves World Cup without his final duel
Ronaldo, 41, had confirmed before facing Spain that this would be his final World Cup. Vava Sport rated his full 90 minutes at 6.4: three shots, two on target, 10 completed passes from 12, and one key pass.
He was involved, efficient and visibly frustrated when Portugal failed to find him in the second half, but the last act belonged to Merino. Any hoped-for Ronaldo versus Messi final disappeared with Spain’s late strike.
Spain move into the World Cup quarter-finals after a fourth straight win in their current form line, while Portugal are eliminated in the Round of 16.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup; Date & Time: Monday 6 July 2026, 21:00 CET; Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas; Referee: Anthony Taylor, England.
