Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in their World Cup round of 16 match on July 6, 2026, in Arlington, Texas, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring the winning goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
Merino's Late Strike Sends Spain to Quarterfinals
Merino's goal, his first of the tournament, came after a build-up involving fellow substitutes Ferran Torres and Fabian Ruiz, and proved to be the decisive moment in a closely contested match.
The victory marked Spain's first appearance in the World Cup quarterfinals since their 2010 title win. They will next face the winner of the United States vs Belgium match on July 11 in Inglewood, California.
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Farewell
Portugal's loss likely marks the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career, with the 41-year-old having participated in a record-tying sixth World Cup. Despite being a three-time goal scorer in the tournament, Ronaldo failed to reach a World Cup final in his illustrious career.
- Match Details: Spain vs Portugal, 1-0
- Goal Scorer: Mikel Merino
- Match Venue: Arlington, Texas
- Date: July 6, 2026
The match was characterized by a lack of scoring opportunities, with Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon making only two saves throughout the game. Portugal's attack showed signs of life in the dying minutes, but ultimately fell short, with Bernardo Silva's header going narrowly over the bar in added time.
