Spain quarter finals

FIFA World Cup 2026: Merino's Late Winner Helps Spain Knock Out Portugal In The Last 16

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Spain Edge Portugal 1-0 as Mikel Merino's Late Winner Ends Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Journey

By IANS News July 07, 2026 • 08:02 AM View: 112

Mikel Merino's stoppage-time strike earned Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium and a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final place. Luis De La Fuente’s team will now head to Los Angeles Stadium to play the winners of USA-Belgium.

The final whistle of the match marked the end of Christiano Ronaldo’s time on football’s biggest stage. “This will be my last World Cup,” he reiterated pre-match. The 41-year-old hit 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple milestones, including becoming the first man to score in six editions.