Spain's Mikel Merino (6) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal with Fabian Ruiz (8) during the World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, on July 6, 2026
| Photo Credit: AP
Substitute Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to lift Spain into the World Cup quarterfinals with 1-0 victory over Portugal in Monday’s (July 6, 2026) round of 16 clash in Arlington, Texas.Merino’s goal six minutes after his insertion takes La Roja to their first quarterfinals since winning their only World Cup title in 2010.They’ll next play on July 11 in Inglewood, California, against the winner of today’s second match between the United States and Belgium.Portugal’s loss likely marks the last World Cup appearance for 41-year-old attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, who had three goals at his record-tying sixth World Cup.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after Spain's Mikel Merino scores their first goal
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