- Portugal vs Spain: Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Portugal to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career to an end.
- The match was played on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Dallas.
- Spain will face either the USA or Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Mikel Merino came off the bench to net a late winner for Spain, as they edged out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 in Dallas on Monday night, ending the legend’s World Cup journey and securing their own spot in the 2026 quarterfinals.
It was a beautifully crafted team goal from Spain, built on slick passing in the 90th minute. Ferran Torres slipped a delightful through ball into the path of Arsenal midfielder Merino, who timed his run perfectly into the Portugal box.
Merino calmly slotted past Diogo Costa just minutes after coming on, ensuring his strike was the only goal of the Iberian Derby and securing La Roja a last-eight clash against co-hosts USA or Belgium this Friday.
ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo addresses retirement speculation after the 2026 World Cup
While Spainmade the most of their decisive opportunity, it was a heartbreaking conclusion for Portugal and a fitting farewell to one of football’s greatest icons.
Veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of what is expected to be his final World Cup, ending his 2026 campaign with three goals.
Roberto Martinez had hoped CR7 would make the difference in what could be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage.
The 41-year-old had been entrusted with a starting role in all five of Portugal’s matches in North America, but Monday’s encounter against their rivals -whom they defeated in 2025 to lift the Nations League title – proved to be a stern challenge and far from an ideal outing.
Speaking before the match, Ronaldo had already addressed speculation about his retirement, confirming that this would be his final World Cup, though not the end of his playing career.
“Yes, it’s my last World Cup. Let’s go and enjoy it. I will retire when I want, not when you want.”
“People have spent twenty-three years trying to pull me down. Now they know they are wasting their time because it’s not worth it.”
He ends his World Cup journey with 11 goals from 27 matches played, remaining Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.
Spain should have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Dani Olmo played Mikel Oyarzabal through on goal, but with only Diogo Costa to beat, the forward somehow dragged his effort well wide.
Portugal captain Ronaldo had his first chance to add to his tally, forcing Unai Simon into a smart save from a tight angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain gradually increased the pressure, with Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena both testing Costa in quick succession, the latter drawing a superb fingertip stop.
Portugal finished the first half strongly and came within inches of breaking the deadlock when Spain full-back Pedro Porro inadvertently diverted Nuno Mendes’ effort onto his own crossbar.
Yamal endured a frustrating evening against Mendes, but Portugal suffered a setback when the Paris Saint-Germain full-back was forced off injured after 56 minutes.
The contest lacked a cutting edge, and Ronaldo, so often a thorn in Spain’s side during his Real Madrid days, showed his frustration by throwing his arms up after a misplaced pass.
Martinez introduced fresh legs in the 71st and 83rd minutes but kept faith with Ronaldo.
With the game seemingly destined for extra time, Arsenal midfielder Merino delivered the decisive moment, producing a composed finish in the dying seconds to settle a tense and closely contested encounter.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026