Spain beat Portugal 1-0 with late Merino goal, ending Ronaldo’s World Cup career

Mikel Merino broke the deadlock in injury time as Spain continue their perfect run with a 1-0 win. Portugal's exit means Cristiano Ronaldo played his final game at the World Cup, as he confirmed he's retiring from international football. Spain will face Belgium next after Rudi Garcia's side thrashed the United States 4-1, this after controversy caused by Donald Trump and FIFA, who reversed a refereeing decision ahead of the game.

Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal, thanks to Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner. The late goal ended Portugal’s campaign and marked the conclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey.

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.

A dejected Cristiano Ronaldo at the final whistle after his POrtugal side were knocked out of the World Cup at the hands of arch rivals Spain. Photo: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters 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.

ARLINGTON–Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to put Spain in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career on Monday. The European champions will face Belgium, which defeated co-host United States, 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 […]...Keep on reading: Spain wins it late to give Ronaldo bitter end to World Cup career

Substitute Mikel Merino scored a 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. 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 really 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, now playing in Saudi Arabia, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football’s biggest stage. 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. In Ronaldo and Spain’s 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, the last-16 showdown was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers. There was a sombre moment shortly before kickoff when a black-and-white image of the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota flashed up on the giant screen that looms over the field. Spain should have been ahead with less than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he somehow pulled it well wide. Portugal skipper Ronaldo had his first chance to add to his three goals in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a tight angle. Luis de la Fuente’s Spain cranked up the pressure, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession, the second a wonderful fingertip save. Ronaldo – jeered and cheered in equal measure – was a marginal presence in the central attacking role he now occupies in the twilight of his career. Portugal ended the half on top and Roberto Martinez’s side were inches from taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro stuck out his head and directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his own crossbar. The winger Yamal had endured a frustrating time up against Mendes, but the Paris Saint-Germain fullback was forced off injured after 56 minutes in a blow to Portugal. The game needed a spark and Ronaldo, well known to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray. Martinez made double changes on 71 and 83 minutes, but kept Ronaldo on. And in a game that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it at the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what went on before.