Spain left it late to break Portuguese hearts as Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner sealed a 1-0 victory in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, sending Cristiano Ronaldo home from his final tournament.
Snatch-and-grab in Dallas
For 90 minutes at AT&T Stadium, the Iberian derby fizzled. Two teams laden with superstars cancelled each other out in a scrappy, tense affair that rarely ignited. Cristiano Ronaldo toiled but couldn't influence the game, while Spain's possession dominance produced little end product. Then, in the dying embers, a familiar script emerged — but not the one everyone expected.
It wasn't Ronaldo, the all-time men's international goal-scorer, who delivered the decisive blow. Instead, it was the rangy Mikel Merino, a substitute, who latched onto Ferran Torres's clever through-ball and calmly rolled the ball past Diogo Costa to spark wild celebrations.
Merino sprinted to the corner flag, recreating his father's iconic celebration after scoring for Osasuna in Stuttgart in 1991 — a poignant callback to his winner against Germany at the Euros two years ago. The goal was the only real moment of quality in a match that had largely lacked it, but it was enough to send Spain into the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo's World Cup farewell falls flat
As the final whistle blew, the cameras cut to Ronaldo, who stood motionless, staring into the distance. The 41-year-old had revealed before the game that this summer would mark his last World Cup appearance. The only player to score in six different editions of the tournament will not add to that record, his quest for a first World Cup trophy ending in silence.
Ronaldo was visibly emotional as he walked off, consoled by teammates and staff. His longevity has been a marvel, but on this night, mortality caught up with him. Portugal offered little threat, and their tournament ends with a whimper rather than a bang.
Spain's winning habit continues
For Spain, it's a fifth consecutive win at this World Cup, though the performance was far from convincing. Coach Luis de la Fuente will know improvements are needed against the winner of the 2026 World Cup tie between USA and Belgium. Yet, there is a resilient quality to this Spanish side — they rarely deliver thrillers, but they keep finding ways to win.
Merino's impact from the bench underscored Spain's depth. His cool finish, after a scrappy buildup, was a reminder that tournament football often rewards the efficient over the extravagant.
Key Takeaways
- Spain advance to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win, their fourth clean sheet in five games.
- Mikel Merino's 90+2-minute goal sends Portugal home and ends Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career.
- Portugal failed to register a shot on target in the second half, highlighting their attacking struggles.
- Spain will face the winner of USA vs Belgium in the next round, seeking a place in the semi-finals.
- Ronaldo, at 41, exits the World Cup stage for the last time, having scored in a record six tournaments.
Quick Facts
Final Score: Portugal 0-1 Spain
Match: World Cup 2026 Last 16
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Goal: Mikel Merino (90+2')
Next Up: Spain vs USA or Belgium (Quarter-final, date TBC)