Mikel Merino scored a late goal to send Spain past Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday and into a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since they won it all in 2010, ESPN reports.
With the game looking like it was headed to extra time in Arlington, Texas, a Ferran Torres through-ball sprang Merino in the penalty area and he slotted home past Diogo Costa to give Spain the breakthrough goal in the 1-0 win over their neighbors on the Iberian Peninsula.
Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Costa after taking a pass from Torres.
There were some nervy moments down the stretch for Luis de la Fuente’s side as Portugal twice came close to levelling the score, but Spain clung to their lead in a game that could be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo in a Portugal shirt.
Spain now await the winner of Monday’s game between Belgium and the United States to see who they will face in the quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Ronaldo, who was visibly upset after the final whistle blew, was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time after reaching that stage at the 2024 European Championship. Instead, the legendary striker’s career on soccer’s biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals.
