World Cup 2026 · 2026-07-06

Last-Gasp Merino Breaks the Iberian Deadlock: Spain Edge Portugal 1-0 to Reach the Quarter-Finals

Super-sub Mikel Merino fired Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 91st-minute winner against Portugal at AT&T Stadium in Dallas — ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career with the cruelest of late goals.

For 90 minutes, the Iberian derby at AT&T Stadium delivered exactly what the tournament bracket had promised — and nothing more. Spain controlled possession, created half-chances, and found no way through a Portugal side that sat deep, stayed disciplined, and looked entirely capable of forcing extra time. Bruno Fernandes drove Portugal's best moments; Lamine Yamal had three shots without finding a finish. The full 90 minutes ticked by and neither side had scored. Then Rodri carried the ball forward, slipped it wide, and the whole tie changed in ten seconds.

Ferran Torres received Rodri's pass, took a half-turn, and slid a perfectly weighted ball into the channel for Mikel Merino — the midfielder who had come off the bench in the second half. Merino timed his run to stay onside by the finest of margins, took one touch to settle himself, and drove a low finish past Diogo Costa at the near post. Spain 1-0 Portugal. First minute of added time. The Spanish bench erupted as one, and the Portuguese end of a stadium that had been evenly split went very quiet.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years old, had started the match and worked hard within Spain's pressing system throughout. He was unable to get into the game in the way he had against Croatia — where his penalty had been the pivot of Portugal's night. When the final whistle confirmed the 1-0 scoreline, Ronaldo walked around the pitch applauding the supporters who had made the journey to Texas, tears on his face. It was a farewell that needed no words.

Spain march into the quarter-finals to face Belgium in Los Angeles on July 10 — extending their unbeaten run under Luis de la Fuente to 35 games. The Merino substitution proved decisive, but the winning goal was built on Rodri's vision and Torres's composure under pressure. Spain have now beaten four different nations in knockout football without conceding a goal. The question for Belgium, and whoever else stands in front of them, is how to stop a side that keeps finding a way.

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