Spain Ends Ronaldo's World Cup Journey With Late Strike Against Portugal

Spain moved into the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, beating Portugal 1-0 in a round of 16 tie in Dallas that stayed goalless until the closing seconds of normal time.

Substitute Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the match in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, finishing a swift move started by Rodri and completed by fellow substitute Ferran Torres, who slipped the ball through the Portuguese back line for Merino to slide past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

The goal arrived deep into second-half stoppage time rather than in a separate extra-time period. Portugal never found a way through in the moments that remained, and the match ended without the game reaching extra time or penalties.

How the Match Unfolded

Spain controlled possession for long stretches of the game, finishing with 56 per cent of the ball and 15 total shots to Portugal's nine. Manager Luis de la Fuente's side generated 1.77 expected goals against Portugal's 0.56, a gap that reflected a match in which Spain largely dictated tempo without finding the finish to match its territorial control.

Portugal's clearest route back into the game came through goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who produced a string of saves to keep the score level, including stops on Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal earlier in the match. At the other end, Unai Simón denied Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix in a first-half passage of play that briefly threatened to swing the tie toward Portugal.

Portugal manager Roberto Martínez set his side up defensively, absorbing Spanish pressure rather than attempting to force the tempo, and the approach nearly held. Bernardo Silva, introduced from the bench, headed narrowly over the crossbar in the closing stages in what proved to be Portugal's best chance to level the score after Spain's goal.

Portugal also lost defender Nuno Mendes to injury during the second half, with Nélson Semedo brought on as a replacement.

The End of an Era

The result marked what is expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance. Ronaldo, Portugal's captain, had said before the match that this would be his last World Cup tournament, regardless of the outcome. With Portugal's elimination, his run across six World Cups since his 2006 debut has come to a close without the trophy that eluded him throughout his career.

Spain will play the winner of the round of 16 tie between the United States and Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Bigger Picture

The margins in Dallas were fine. Spain's superior possession and shot count did not translate into a comfortable scoreline, and Portugal's defensive approach came within a matter of minutes of forcing extra time against one of the tournament's form teams. For Spain, unbeaten and yet to concede a goal through the knockout rounds, the win extends a run that now positions the team among the tournament's most credible contenders. For Portugal, the exit closes a golden generation's most prominent chapter, with Ronaldo's international career now almost certainly finished at the World Cup level even as questions remain over the timing of his broader retirement from the national team.

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Related Reading

• Spain's road to the knockout stage and Group H results
• Portugal's round of 32 win over Croatia
• USA vs. Belgium: the quarter-final opponent

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Sources

1. ESPN - Portugal 0-1 Spain (Jul 6, 2026) Final Score
2. NBC Sports - Portugal vs Spain live updates: Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal ends Ronaldo's World Cup dream
3. NBC News - World Cup 2026 live updates: Spain scores late goal, downs Portugal in round of 16
4. Yahoo Sports - Spain tops Portugal with stoppage-time winner: World Cup Round of 16 live updates
5. CBS Sports - Portugal vs. Spain score, 2026 FIFA World Cup live updates
6. Bleacher Report - Portugal vs. Spain Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights
7. Fox Sports - Portugal vs. Spain Live Updates, Score: Latest World Cup News And Goals

Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images