Merino Ends Ronaldo's Final World Cup Dream

Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals after Mikel Merino scored a dramatic extra-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium.
Luis de la Fuente's side dominated large spells of an entertaining but goalless first half. Mikel Oyarzabal squandered Spain's best opportunity after being played through by Dani Olmo, while Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced an outstanding save to deny Alex Baena's curling effort.

Portugal threatened through Cristiano Ronaldo, with Nuno Mendes coming closest to breaking the deadlock when his deflected strike crashed against the crossbar.

Both teams adopted a more cautious approach after the break, and with penalties looming, Spain found the breakthrough in extra time. Substitute Ferran Torres delivered a precise pass for fellow substitute Mikel Merino, who calmly finished to send La Roja into the last eight.

Spain will now travel to Los Angeles Stadium, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between the United States and Belgium.

💔𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒.

🥹 Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch heartbroken after Portugal’s defeat to Spain — his final World Cup match.

🫶 An absolute legend who gave everything.

👋 An era no football fan was ready to see end.

😭 The… pic.twitter.com/0bBj9bdHVL

— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) July 6, 2026

The match also marked what is expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final FIFA World Cup appearance. Ahead of the game, the 41-year-old reaffirmed that this would be his last World Cup. Ronaldo finishes his World Cup career with 11 goals in 27 matches and made history as the first men's player to score in six different FIFA World Cup editions, cementing his legacy as one of football's greatest-ever players.

The fans have spoken – Rodri is your @MichelobUltra Superior Player of the Match! 👑

#FIFAWorldCup #SuperiorPOTM pic.twitter.com/F6BsgUbFhv

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2026

Player of the Match: Rodri (Spain)

After the match Luis De La Fuente, Spain coach said,“The decisive players were those who came off the bench. I told Merino he should play how he always does. His role is to support the midfielders and the forwards. With him, we were thinking about giving the team the rhythm and energy it needed. The players’ impact from the bench has been masterful, but that’s because we have 26 players of a very high level.”