Mikel Merino scored a late winner to secure a 1-0 victory for Spain over Portugal in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career. The match took place at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys in the United States, in front of 70,649 spectators.

The game, which had promised much on paper, was largely uneventful until the first minute of injury time when substitute Ferran Torres assisted Merino's decisive goal. This result means Spain will advance to the quarter-finals where they will face either the United States, the only remaining co-host nation, or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, had confirmed before the match that this tournament would be his last World Cup appearance. The match also featured Spain's 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, who struggled against Portugal's Paris Saint-Germain fullback Mendes, who was forced off injured after 56 minutes.

Historically, Spain has won the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal's best finish was third place in 1966. A somber moment occurred before kickoff when a tribute to the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota was displayed.

Sources: France 24 English