Spain substitute Mikel Merino broke through a stubborn Portugal defence in the 91st minute to earn his side a 1-0 win on Monday to take the former champions into the quarter-finals and bring the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
The midfielder scored six minutes after coming off the bench in the Iberian Derby at Dallas Stadium to move the European champions into the last eight, prevailing where his teammates had been frustrated by a determined Portuguese backline.
For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“Mikel Merino never lets us down, he’s a safe bet,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “He helped us win the European Championship and is always there when it counts. He’s one of the best players in the world in his position.
“Mikel performs exceptionally well and is always exactly where he needs to be.”
