Mikel Merino scores late winner as Spain knock out Portugal at World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 6, 2026, 9:10 PM
Last updated Jul 6, 2026
Spain advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Portugal on July 6, 2026, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career. Substitute Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the first minute of stoppage time, assisted by Ferran Torres. The match, attended by 70,649 fans, saw Spain maintain their tournament record of not conceding a goal. Both teams were unbeaten coming into the match, but Portugal struggled to make a significant impact. Spain will next face either the United States or Belgium in the quarter-finals.
- •Spain wins 1-0 to progress to World Cup quarter-finals
- •Mikel Merino scores late winner in injury time
- •Cristiano Ronaldo plays final match at World Cup
- •Spain has not conceded a goal in the tournament
- •Next opponent for Spain is either the US or Belgium.
- 10:19 PMYahoo Sports — Merino puts Spain through as Ronaldo faces World Cup farewell
- 10:03 PMYahoo Sports — Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ends in heartbreak courtesy of late Spain winner
- 9:46 PMBBC Sport — Spain into quarter-finals after Merino's late winner against Portugal
- 9:10 PMYahoo Sports — Spain win it late to bid farewell to Ronaldo at World Cup
"Mikel Merino netted in stoppage time to send Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals with a cagey 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday as Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to the World Cup. Merino expertly finished off fellow substitute Ferran Torres' through-ball a minute after the 90 as the 2010 World Cup winners and reigning European champions got the better of their neighbours.
"Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career on Monday.For all their pedigree, talent and history, Spain have only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal's best was third place in 1966.
"Cristiano Ronaldo's final FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreak as Spain eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16, with Mikel Merino scoring a dramatic late winner in the 91st minute
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 6, 2026, 10:19 PMMerino puts Spain through as Ronaldo faces World Cup farewell
Mikel Merino netted in stoppage time to send Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals with a cagey 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday as Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to the World Cup. Merino expertly finished off fellow substitute Ferran Torres' through-ball a minute after the 90 as the 2010 World Cup winners and reigning European champions got the better of their neighbours.
- Yahoo SportsJul 6, 2026, 10:03 PMCristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ends in heartbreak courtesy of late Spain winner
Cristiano Ronaldo's final FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreak as Spain eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16, with Mikel Merino scoring a dramatic late winner in the 91st minute
- BBC SportJul 6, 2026, 9:46 PMSpain into quarter-finals after Merino's late winner against Portugal
Spain leave it late as super-sub Mikel Merino scores a stoppage-time winner to send his side into the quarter-finals, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of World Cup glory.
- Yahoo SportsJul 6, 2026, 9:10 PMSpain win it late to bid farewell to Ronaldo at World Cup
Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career on Monday.For all their pedigree, talent and history, Spain have only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal's best was third place in 1966.
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