Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner in the first minute of injury time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup round of 16, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career on July 6, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.
Match decides Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance
The 41-year-old superstar had confirmed on the eve of the match that this would be his last appearance on football's biggest stage. Ronaldo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, ends his World Cup career without adding to Portugal's best finish of third place in 1966.
In front of a crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, the match failed to deliver the attacking fireworks many had expected. Extra time seemed certain before Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the contest.
Spain remains unbeaten and unscored upon
The European champions advanced to the quarter-finals without having conceded a goal in the tournament. They will face either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles. Spain, who have only lifted the World Cup once in 2010, have now kept clean sheets in all four matches.
Portugal entered the contest unbeaten but had not been entirely convincing. Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites, had not even conceded a goal.
First-half chances and near misses
Spain should have taken the lead within 10 minutes when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal, but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he pulled his shot wide. Portugal captain 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, with Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession. Costa made a wonderful fingertip save to deny Baena. 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.
Second half and the winning goal
Portugal ended the first half on top and 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. Yamal 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. In a cagey game, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it at the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what went on before.
Sour end for Ronaldo
The match meant a sour final World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football's biggest stage. 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.
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. Spain will now look to add a second World Cup title to their 2010 triumph.
