Merino denies Ronaldo World Cup glory as Spain edge Portugal to reach quarterfinals

Super-sub Mikel Merino ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s tryst with the World Cup as the much-anticipated Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain turned out to be quite an intense affair at the Dallas Stadium. Spaniard Mikel Merino scored a last-minute winner to rescue Spain with a 1-0 victory over Portugal, sending them through to the quarterfinals. Spain will face Belgium in the last eight. The match also marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s final FIFA World Cup appearance for Portugal.

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In the pre-match press conference, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his last for Portugal. His path towards World Cup glory had one final obstacle in the form of a sensational Spain side, a team packed with playmakers, a solid defence, and La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal. In the opening 20 minutes, Spain enjoyed 59% possession and registered three shots on target, two of which were superbly saved by Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

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In the 37th minute, Portugal came close to scoring the opening goal of the match, but attempts from João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo were both saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón. Nuno Mendes struck a long-range effort in the 42nd minute, only for it to hit the post and rebound back into play. With both teams recording three shots on target each, the game was evenly poised heading into an exciting second half.

The second half began with both teams eager to score the opening goal and take the lead. Nuno Mendes was substituted in the 56th minute due to a possible injury, with Nélson Semedo coming on in his place. In the 75th minute, Rafael Leão created a chance for Bruno Fernandes inside the penalty area, but Portugal failed to convert the opportunity.

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With six minutes added in stoppage time, Spain’s super-sub Mikel Merino scored the winner in the 90+1st minute, with Ferran Torres providing the assist to seal Spain’s place in the quarterfinals. Spain are yet to concede a goal in this edition of the FIFA World Cup, while Portugal’s campaign ended in the Round of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with three goals in five matches. His overall FIFA World Cup tally stands at 11 goals in 25 matches across six editions since 2006.

World Cup eluded Ronaldo: Sengupta

“Portugal lost to Spain by a solitary goal and that brought to an end, the World Cup career of Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal have produced some of the greatest footballers in history—Eusebio, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and many others. Yet they have never won the FIFA World Cup. Their failure is not because they have lacked talent, but because several factors worked against them,” says senior sports journalist Abhijit Sengupta.

Sengupta says Portugal lacked a few things which prevented them from clinching the World Cup.

“Perhaps the biggest reason is that Portugal became a football power relatively late. Unlike Brazil, Germany, Italy or Argentina, Portugal did not regularly qualify for World Cups until the 21st century. They made their debut in 1966, finished a remarkable third (Eusebio was the top scorer in that tournament), then disappeared from the tournament for long periods, qualifying only once between 1966 and 2002,” the Hyderabad-based Sengupta said.

“Secondly, Portugal often relied on one outstanding superstar rather than a complete team. In 1966, everything revolved around Eusebio. During the 2000s it was Figo, and later Cristiano Ronaldo. Although these players were world-class, winning a World Cup requires strength in every department and an excellent overall squad,” Sengupta, who had retired as sports editor with the Hyderabad edition of The Hindu, said.

“So, however great CR 7 may have been, the World Cup was not in his fate,” he added.