Merino's late goal sinks Portugal, Spain advances to face US-Belgium winner

Mikel Merino's dramatic injury-time goal secured Spain's place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, eliminating Portugal with a narrow 1-0 victory. The decisive moment came in the 91st minute, as substitute Ferran Torres delivered a precise pass to Merino, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

The tightly contested match at Dallas Stadium saw both teams create chances but struggle with finishing. Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Baena came close in the first half, while Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes also tested the Spanish defense. The game appeared headed for extra time until Merino's late heroics.

Spain's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against the winner of the United States vs. Belgium match in Los Angeles. For Portugal, the loss likely signifies the end of an era, with Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, having previously stated that the 2026 World Cup would be his last. Ronaldo leaves the tournament having scored 11 goals in 27 appearances across six World Cups, becoming the first player to score in six different editions.

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This will be my last World Cup.