Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career ends after Mikel Merino's late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals

Mikel Merino's decisive goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time secured a 1-0 victory for Spain against Portugal, officially concluding the World Cup career of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The late strike propelled Spain into the quarterfinals for the first time since their 2010 title win.

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Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spain will now face either the United States or Belgium in the next round. For Ronaldo, the match signified the end of his storied international career. The 41-year-old forward, who holds the records for most international goals (146) and appearances (233), was unable to lead Portugal to the quarterfinals for a second consecutive tournament.

Despite limited chances against Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón, who extended his World Cup record to 609 minutes without conceding, Ronaldo had one notable opportunity with a backward kick that Simón managed to save. Portugal pushed desperately for an equalizer in the final minutes, with Bernardo Silva's header narrowly missing the net.

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Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer's biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233).

This encounter between Iberian rivals contrasted sharply with their last World Cup meeting eight years prior, a thrilling 3-3 group stage draw where Ronaldo scored a hat trick. Spain's victory also echoed their 1-0 win in the 2010 round of 16, the same year they won the tournament.

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Spain became the first team to record six straight shutouts at the World Cup.