Ninety minutes of defensive heroics, a crossbar, two goalkeeper saves that deserved a standing ovation — and then a substitute combination in the 91st minute that ended it all. Spain beat Portugal 1–0 at the Dallas Stadium in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16, with Mikel Merino steering a low first-time finish past Diogo Costa to send them through. Portugal are eliminated. Cristiano Ronaldo has played his final match at a FIFA World Cup.
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Chances Wasted, Chances Missed
Spain were the better side for large parts of the evening and should have been ahead before half-time. In the 10th minute, a swift one-touch passing sequence from Dani Olmo opened Portugal up beautifully — Mikel Oyarzabal received the ball in a dangerous position and dragged his shot wide. A chance that should have been taken.
Six minutes later, Spain went close twice in quick succession. Lamine Yamal’s curling effort forced Diogo Costa into a comfortable gather. The rebound fell to Alex Baena, whose powerful low attempt from the other edge of the box was met by Costa at full stretch. Two saves, back to back. Portugal survived.
The Crossbar Denies Portugal the Lead
Portugal’s best moment came in the 41st minute. Nuno Mendes drove forward and hit a heavy left-footed shot from the edge of the box. The ball clipped off Pedro Porro as it travelled — the deflection wrong-footing Unai Simón — and cannoned back off the crossbar. Portugal came within inches of taking a lead they might never have surrendered.
The second half was tighter. Nuno Mendes had to be subbed off at the 54th minute due to an injury. Spain controlled possession, probed for openings, and found Portugal well organised and difficult to break down. Minutes passed. Substitutions were made. Neither side could find the decisive moment. Extra time was approaching.
Merino Settles It in Stoppage Time
Then, in the 91st minute, two Spanish substitutes combined to break Portuguese hearts.
Ferran Torres received the ball in space and threaded a precise pass into the box. Mikel Merino had made the run perfectly. One touch. A low, first-time finish steered into the bottom corner past Costa, who had no chance. Spain 1–0 Portugal. AT&T Stadium erupted.
Portugal pushed desperately in the final minutes. In the 90+7th minute, Bernardo Silva connected with a deep cross and got his header away — but it drifted just onto the roof of the net. The closest Portugal came to surviving. This was their only chance since Mendes had been subbed off.
The final whistle followed moments later.
The End of Ronaldo’s World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the Dallas Stadium pitch for the last time in a FIFA World Cup. He tested Unai Simón in the first half and was a constant threat, but the goal — the one that would have written a different ending — did not come. At 41, this was always likely to be his final tournament. Portugal’s elimination makes it official.
He leaves the FIFA World Cup with six appearances, one FIFA World Cup hat-trick — against this very opponent in 2018.
Spain March On
Spain are through to the quarter-finals and will face the winner of the United States–Belgium match. Luis de la Fuente’s side have been composed, dangerous in transition, and increasingly difficult to play against as the tournament has progressed. Oyarzabal missed chances he would ordinarily take, but Merino was there when it mattered. That is the mark of a squad with depth.
The Iberian derby is done for 2026. Spain won it, narrowly. Ronaldo’s chapter is closed. Spain’s is still being written.
Spain’s quarter-final is next. Don’t miss it — watch every remaining FIFA World Cup 2026™ match live on ZEE 5 in India.
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