Spain eliminate Portugal from the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the round of 16, winning 1-0. Multiple reports say the match is decided by Mikel Merino, who scores late—described as a stoppage-time or 90th-minute goal—against Portugal. The result sends Portugal out of the tournament with Spain advancing to the next stage.
The outlets also note the significance of the defeat for Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo, with one report framing the loss as potentially his final World Cup appearance. Another outlet emphasizes that the defeat extends Ronaldo’s wait for a maiden World Cup title, referencing the broader context of his previous World Cup outcomes.
One report adds a tournament context detail, stating Spain has not conceded a goal in the competition up to that point. The match is presented as a closely contested knockout game, with the late goal proving decisive. The story remains tied to the immediate impact of Portugal’s elimination and Spain’s progression.
