In a thrilling conclusion at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Spain clinched a 1-0 victory over Portugal, eliminating them from the 2026 World Cup during the round of 16. Mikel Merino sealed the fate of the match in the 90th minute with a decisive goal.
The winning goal was orchestrated by Ferrán Torres, who came off the bench to replace Alejandro Baena in the 75th minute. Merino, substituting for Daniel Olmo in the 85th minute, capitalized on the opportunity to score the game's only goal.
For most of the match, both teams battled intensely, but Spain's dominance was evident. Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain controlled 56% of the ball possession compared to Portugal’s 44%, took 15 shots versus nine by their opponents, and managed six on-target attempts against Portugal's two.
Spain's superiority was also mirrored in their corner count, with seven compared to Portugal's three. Despite the Spanish control, Portugal remained resolute until stoppage time.
In the tense final moments, Portugal's frustration peaked. Bernardo Silva received a yellow card in the 89th minute, followed by Renato Veiga's booking in the 90th, after Merino's goal had already shifted the momentum. Spain managed to complete the match without any bookings.
This match held special significance as it marked the final World Cup appearance for Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old Portuguese star had previously announced that the 2026 World Cup would be his swan song, stating, “This will be my last World Cup, but hopefully it’s not my last match!”
Ronaldo concluded his World Cup journey with three goals in the tournament, including a noteworthy double against Uzbekistan on June 23, which made him the first player to score in six different World Cups. At the final whistle, cameras captured a poignant moment between Ronaldo and young star Lamine Yamal, a snapshot that quickly trended on social media, symbolizing a passing of the torch.
Portugal advanced to this stage as the runner-up of Group K with five points and had knocked out Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32, courtesy of a last-minute goal by Gonçalo Ramos. Meanwhile, Spain arrived in the round of 16 after a commanding 3-0 triumph over Austria on July 2.
With this win, Spain moves on to the quarterfinals, where they will face the victor of the USA vs. Belgium matchup.
Key Moments and Insights from Spain vs. Portugal
Who scored the decisive goal for Spain against Portugal?
Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal for Spain in the 90th minute, securing a 1-0 victory over Portugal.
What was significant about Cristiano Ronaldo's participation in this match?
The match marked Cristiano Ronaldo's final appearance in a World Cup, as he had announced the tournament would be his last.
How did Spain's performance compare to Portugal's in terms of match statistics?
Spain dominated possession with 56%, had more shots with 15 compared to Portugal's nine, and also led in corners, taking seven to Portugal's three.