Spain advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought victory over Portugal on Monday.
Spain faced Portugal in the round of 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Iberian neighbors delivered a tense match that stayed scoreless for most of the evening. Both teams created chances, but solid defending and strong goalkeeping kept the score level until the final moments.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino entered as a substitute and scored the decisive goal in the first minute of stoppage time. Ferran Torres delivered a precise through-ball that put Merino through on goal. The midfielder calmly slotted the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The strike secured a 1-0 win for Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo started for Portugal in what appeared to be his final World Cup match. The veteran forward came close to scoring, but Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon made a notable diving save to deny him. Portugal pushed forward in search of an equalizer after the goal, yet Spain held firm until the final whistle.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team’s resilience after the game. “The players showed great character and kept believing until the end,” he said.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez expressed disappointment. “We gave everything, but Spain deserved the win on the night,” he noted.
The victory marked Spain’s first quarter-final appearance since their 2010 World Cup triumph. The team, known for its young talent including Lamine Yamal, controlled much of the play and maintained a strong defensive record throughout the tournament.
Spain will now prepare for its quarter-final opponent as one of the contenders for the title. Portugal exited the competition after a competitive campaign that highlighted Ronaldo’s enduring impact on the national side.
The match drew significant attention worldwide as fans witnessed the end of an era for the Portuguese superstar while Spain continued its strong run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
