Arlington, Jul 7: Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Spain edged past Portugal 1-0 in Dallas to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals. Merino struck just minutes after coming off the bench, breaking the deadlock in a tightly contested Iberian derby and ending Portugal's campaign. Spain will now face Belgium in the last eight.

The final whistle of the match marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s time on football’s biggest stage. “This will be my last World Cup,” he reiterated pre-match. The 41-year-old hit 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple milestones, including becoming the first man to score in six editions.

A balanced start, with Spain showing more attacking intent and Oyarzabal shooting forcing a tight save from Diogo Costa after just three minutes. Portugal responded promptly, with Cancelo's run down the right culminating in a powerful shot that went over the bar.

A few minutes later, Olmo set up Oyarzabal, who, as Diogo Costa came out, shot wide. In a back-and-forth game, Cristiano Ronaldo unleashed a powerful shot that Unai Simón saved incompletely.

Fifteen frantic minutes, with Spain taking advantage of a quick attack, with two great saves from Diogo Costa, from shots by Lamal and Baena. Portugal managed to balance the game, hold off Spain, with the best opportunity arising from an assist by Joao Felix for an acrobatic shot by Ronaldo. Unai Simon saved it. This was Portugal's best moment in the match, culminating in a shot from Nuno Mendes that hit the crossbar, after a deflection by Pedro Porro.

Also Read: Red Card Reversed! FIFA Lifts Folarin Balogun Suspension, Belgium Furious

The game remained balanced in the second half, but Portugal looked more dangerous, especially with Pedro Neto's incursions down the right flank. Even without Nuno Mendes, who was replaced by Nélson Semedo due to injury, the national team managed, with varying degrees of difficulty, to thwart Spanish attacks.

In a very tight game, tactical schemes took on greater importance, with Lamine Yamal forcing Diogo Costa to make a save for a corner from a free kick.

The introduction of Rafael Leao in the final 15 minutes livened up the Portuguese game, and it was a move by the Portuguese forward that gave Bruno Fernandes one of the best chances to score, with the ball ending up in the side netting.

It was near the end of extra time that, in an attacking move, Mikel Merino broke free and scored past Diogo Costa. Then, in the final third of extra time, Bernardo Silva had a chance to equalise with his head, but his shot went just wide of the post.

(IANS)