Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 with a goal by Mikel Merino in the 91st minute. The strike, assisted by Ferrán Torres, sends the team to the quarterfinals and ends Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career.
The match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas remained balanced until the final minutes. Spain created several chances in the first half, with shots from Oyarzabal and Baena that missed the target. Portugal replied with dangerous attacks, including one from Nuno Mendes that hit the crossbar.
In the 50th minute, Nuno Mendes suffered an injury and left the pitch. Spanish substitutions of Mikel Merino and Ferrán Torres in the 85th minute changed the tempo. Merino received a pass from Ferrán Torres after a quickly taken free kick and beat Diogo Costa.
Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, played the full match without scoring. After the final whistle, the Portuguese striker appeared visibly emotional and bid farewell in tears to his sixth World Cup participation. Spain advances to the quarterfinals.
