In a thrilling match on Monday, Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Portugal with a last-minute goal by Mikel Merino, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey. Merino capitalized on a quick play after a foul was called, receiving a pass from Ferran Torres to score past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
This win marked Spain’s advancement to the quarterfinals for the first time since their World Cup triumph in 2010. They are set to face either the United States or Belgium in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
Ronaldo, aiming to lead Portugal to consecutive quarterfinal appearances, saw his World Cup career conclude. The football legend, known for his record-breaking 146 international goals and 233 appearances, now exits the tournament.
Merino’s crucial goal came after he joined the match in the 85th minute, showcasing the skills that contributed to Arsenal’s recent Premier League victory. The clash between Spain and Portugal, historic rivals dating back over a century, contrasted with their memorable encounter from eight years ago when Ronaldo netted a hat trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Despite Ronaldo’s efforts in this tournament, including three goals, Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon maintained his impressive record by keeping a clean sheet for 609 consecutive minutes, a new World Cup record. Spain now holds the distinction of achieving six consecutive shutouts in the World Cup.
Portugal fought hard for an equalizer in the final moments, with Bernardo Silva coming close with a header that narrowly missed the target. The defensive battle between the two teams occurred nearly a year after Portugal’s victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final.
The last World Cup encounter between Spain and Portugal, a 1-0 victory for Spain in the round of 16, occurred during Spain’s triumph in South Africa.
