Spain advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16. Multiple outlets report that substitute Mikel Merino scores in stoppage time to decide the match, with the goal described as coming in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Spain’s Unai Simón is credited in some reports with helping preserve the lead and keeping Portugal from scoring. The result eliminates Portugal from the tournament and ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, with several sources noting his emotional reaction after the final whistle. Following the win, Spain are set to play the winner of the United States vs. Belgium quarterfinal matchup. The match is characterized across reports as tense and closely contested, with Spain securing their quarterfinal place through Merino’s late finish.
Spain beat Portugal 1-0 with Mikel Merino late winner, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup campaign
Spain advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16. Multiple outlets report that substitute Mikel Merino scores in stoppage time to decide the...
- Spain defeat Portugal 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup round of 16.
- Substitute Mikel Merino scores in stoppage time to decide the match.
- Portugal is eliminated from the tournament as a result of the loss.
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career ends after Spain’s win.
- Spain advance to the quarterfinals and face the winner of USA vs. Belgium.
Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a dramatic 1-0 win over Portugal, thanks to substitute Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal. The result left Cristiano Ronaldo in tears and sparked emotional reactions from fans, with some calling Merino "stupidly clutch" and others claiming he "ended Ronaldo's international career." Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney criticized Portugal for failing to use Ronaldo effectively inside the penalty area.
2 hours agoSubstitute Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to lift Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals
2 hours agoLate Spain goal eliminates Portugal, ends Ronaldo’s international career? Al JazeeraWorld Cup 2026: Portugal 0-1 Spain - Mikel Merino sends Spain to quarter-finals as Cristiano Ronaldo fails to deliver Sky SportsMerino strikes at the death for Spain to send Portugal and Ronaldo limping out The GuardianWorld Cup 2026: Rate the players in X v Y BBCCristiano Ronaldo’s latest World Cup failure leaves one predictable regret The Independent
2 hours agoSub Mikel Merino scores in stoppage time to give Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16.
2 hours agoMikel Merino came off the bench to score in stoppage time as Spain eliminated Portugal, 1-0, in Dallas, advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals.
2 hours agoSpain edged past Portugal with a crucial one-nil win in a gripping World Cup encounter. Mikel Merino struck the decisive goal in stoppage time, leaving Portugal eliminated and signaling the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup journey. Unai Simon's outstanding performance as goalkeeper kept Spain's net intact, propelling La Roja into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
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