Merino leaves Ronaldo with tears as Spain beats Portugal 1-0

Reigning European champions Spain advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Portugal. In a tight and largely toothless Round of 16 encounter that seemed destined for extra time, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino emerged as the hero. Coming off the bench, Merino pounced deep into stoppage time, exploiting a gap between the Portuguese centre-halves to slot home a low finish and seal the game.

The result marks a heartbreaking end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, with the 41-year-old icon previously confirming that this would be his final appearance at the global tournament. Ronaldo cut a desolate figure on the pitch, visibly in tears as the reality of the elimination set in. Despite his desperate desire to add the elusive World Cup trophy to his historic cabinet, the legendary forward struggled significantly throughout the match, receiving virtually no service from a completely underwhelming Portuguese attack.

Portugal's exit will inevitably pile massive pressure on manager Roberto Martinez, whose cautious tactics and persistent reliance on an aging Ronaldo over bench options like Gonçalo Ramos drew sharp criticism. Despite boasting an immensely talented squad—including Premier League Player of the Season Bruno Fernandes and multiple Champions League winners—Portugal failed to threaten a watertight Spanish defense that has yet to concede a single goal in the tournament. Conversely, Luis De La Fuente's Spain found a rare moment of quality when it mattered most, setting up a quarter-final clash against either the USMNT or Belgium.