Merino Ends Ronaldo's WC Dream As Spain Break Portugal Hearts Late To Enter Quarters

Last Updated:July 07, 2026, 06:56 IST

Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner sent Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup campaign with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat.

The final chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup story closed in the cruellest possible fashion.

With extra time looming and penalties seemingly inevitable, substitute Mikel Merino struck in the first minute of stoppage time to hand Spain a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal on Monday, sending the European champions into the quarter-finals and bringing Ronaldo’s World Cup journey to an emotional end.

Spain will now face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.

For long spells, the heavyweight clash inside the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium promised far more than it delivered. Two unbeaten sides cancelled each other out in a tense tactical battle before Ferran Torres slipped Merino through, and the Arsenal midfielder calmly buried the winner just six minutes after coming off the bench.

As the final whistle sounded, a devastated Ronaldo stood motionless before appearing to fight back tears. The 41-year-old had confirmed on the eve of the match that this would be his final World Cup, ending an extraordinary six-tournament journey without the one trophy that always escaped him.

Spain captain Rodri praised his side’s patience after surviving a nervy contest.

“If anyone thinks that we will move forward without suffering, they are mistaken," he said.

“We knew we had to wait for the right moment and it came, even if they also had chances to win the game."

Rodri also hailed the match-winner.

“He’s a sensational player… one that I love."

The match had been billed as a symbolic passing of the torch between Ronaldo and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Instead, neither star truly imposed himself on proceedings.

Spain threatened first when Dani Olmo played Mikel Oyarzabal through, only for the forward to drag his finish wide with only Diogo Costa to beat. Ronaldo responded with a fierce effort from a tight angle that forced Unai Simon into action, while Alex Baena and Yamal also tested the Portuguese goalkeeper.

Portugal arguably came closest before the break when Pedro Porro inadvertently diverted Nuno Mendes’ fierce strike onto his own crossbar.

Roberto Martinez kept faith with Ronaldo throughout despite introducing fresh legs late on, but Portugal never found the breakthrough.

Instead, Merino delivered the decisive moment, extending Spain’s unbeaten run and preserving their perfect defensive record at the tournament.

(with AFP inputs)

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Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

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