Spain beat Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Spain has reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup after substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Portugal. The match, played at Dallas Stadium, marked the likely final World Cup appearance for Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career on Monday.

The contest, which had promised much on paper, failed to deliver significant excitement for most of the 70,649 spectators. Extra time seemed inevitable until Ferran Torres, another substitute, slipped Merino in for the decisive goal in the first minute of injury time.

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It meant a sour final World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football’s biggest stage.

This outcome brings a somber end to Ronaldo's World Cup journey. The 41-year-old, now playing in Saudi Arabia, had confirmed this would be his last appearance on football's biggest stage. Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites who had not conceded a goal prior to this match, advances to face either the United States or Belgium.

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Spain should have been ahead with less than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he somehow pulled it well wide.

Earlier in the game, Spain had a golden opportunity to take the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, who missed a one-on-one chance. Portugal's captain Ronaldo had a shot saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon, but was otherwise a marginal presence. Portugal ended the first half strongly, hitting the crossbar with a Nuno Mendes shot that was deflected onto the woodwork by Spain's Pedro Porro. The injury to Nuno Mendes in the second half was a blow to Portugal.

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Portugal skipper Ronaldo had his first chance to add to his three goals in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a tight angle.