Arlington (United States) (AFP) – Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career on Monday.
Issued on: 06/07/2026 - 23:12Modified: 07/07/2026 - 00:07
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The European champions will face the United States -- the only one of the co-hosts remaining -- or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.In front of an expectant crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys, a match that on paper promised so much failed to deliver.Extra time looked certain, before fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the contest in the first 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 end.Spain captain Rodri praised the "maturity" of his side."If anyone thinks that we will move forward without suffering, they are mistaken," he said."We knew we had to wait for the right moment and it came, even if they also had chances to win the game," 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 that I love." Ronaldo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football's biggest stage.One of the greatest players of all time has refused to say when he will end his international career and was ineffective here.The neighbours came into the contest both unbeaten, but while Portugal had not been entirely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a goal in the tournament.One of the pre-tournament favourites, they still haven't.For all their pedigree, talent and history, Spain have only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal's best was third place in 1966.
