Spain sealed its qualification to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup after beating Portugal 1-0 in an intense round of 16 duel played at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. A goal by Mikel Merino in added time ended the Portuguese resistance and marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
When everything pointed to extra time, the Spanish midfielder, who had come on from the bench, took advantage of an opportunity in the 90+1 minute to send the ball into the back of the net and give La Roja an agonizing victory.
The match was marked by equality and intensity from the beginning. Portugal opted for the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo, who played his last game in a World Cup. The forward looked for the goal on several occasions, participated in the construction of the game and starred in one of the clearest options after an assist from Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese also found good performances from João Félix and Bruno Fernandes, while goalkeeper Diogo Costa sustained his team with decisive interventions, including a double save against Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena.
Spain responded with the constant imbalance of Lamine Yamal, the mobility of Dani Olmo and Álex Baena and the control of Pedri in the midfield. In addition, goalkeeper Unai Simón was once again decisive with several interventions that allowed him to keep a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive game in the tournament.
With this result, the team led by Luis de la Fuente advances to the quarterfinals, where it will face the winner of the duel between the United States and Belgium. Portugal, on the other hand, says goodbye to the World Cup and also to Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup chapter.
