World Cup 2026: Spain crushes Portugal in stoppage time, ending Ronaldo's dream

Mikel Merino's dramatic late goal secured Spain's place in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, eliminating Portugal with a narrow 1-0 victory. The decisive moment came in the first minute of injury time, shattering Portugal's hopes and marking a likely end to Cristiano Ronaldo's international tournament career.

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Thanks to a goal from Mikel Merino in the final seconds, the Spanish team qualified for the quarterfinals at the expense of the Portuguese.

Despite a match that failed to ignite for long stretches, Spain found a breakthrough thanks to substitutes Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino. Torres provided a perfectly placed pass into the box, which Merino calmly finished past goalkeeper Diogo Costa. This late strike ensured Spain's progression while sending Portugal home from the round of 16.

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The substitute Mikel Merino qualified Spain for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup at the start of added time and at the end of a match that fizzled out against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal (1-0), who is closer than ever to international retirement.

The game was a stark contrast to the pre-match billing, with neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Spain's young prodigy Lamine Yamal making a significant impact for much of the contest. Ronaldo, playing in his likely final World Cup match at 41, was largely isolated. Portugal's Nuno Mendes had a strong first half, effectively neutralizing Yamal and posing a threat himself before an injury forced him off.

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It's a cruel epilogue for the Porto goalkeeper, who extinguished some burning early chances and didn't have much to do afterward.

Spain, who had not conceded a goal in the tournament prior to this match, now advances to face either the United States or Belgium in the quarterfinals. For Portugal and their legendary captain Ronaldo, the defeat signifies a premature exit from a tournament where they had aspirations of going further.

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It's also a sad end for Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, his face marked by emotion after the final whistle.