Spain became the third team to book a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal this Monday, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time at the AT&T Stadium.
Spain secured a dramatic ticket to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years, defeating Portugal 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal from Mikel Merino that shattered Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup dream.
The match was even, intense, and ultimately decided in the 90th minute when Merino capitalized on a lapse in the Portuguese defense.
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Spain created more clear chances across the 90 minutes, but Portugal’s defensive resilience had kept them alive until Merino’s decisive intervention.
From the opening whistle, Spain imposed its characteristic possession-based style. Portugal, while ceding possession, remained dangerous on the counterattack and looked to exploit set-piece situations. The Portuguese defense held firm through the first half and deep into the second, frustrating a Spanish attack that grew increasingly desperate as the clock ticked toward full time.
The match, played without a single red card, maintained a competitive but disciplined tone. For 89 minutes, neither side could find the breakthrough, and the prospect of 30 additional minutes of extra time loomed over the Dallas crowd.
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Spain came closest to breaking the deadlock when Mikel Oyarzábal squandered a one-on-one opportunity, firing wide when his team needed a finish most. Moments later, Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced a double save to deny Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena, keeping the match scoreless.
Portugal responded with threats of their own. João Félix tested Unai Simón with a header, while Ronaldo attempted an acrobatic effort that the Spanish goalkeeper handled with composure. The first half ended goalless, but both teams had shown they could strike at any moment.
The second half turned more cautious. With a “one-goal-wins” atmosphere gripping the stadium, both sides grew increasingly conservative, aware that a single mistake could prove fatal. Minutes ticked by, and extra time seemed all but certain.
Then, in the dying moments of regulation time, Spain struck. A set-piece situation caught the Portuguese defense off guard. Ferran Torres threaded a precise pass into the box, finding Mikel Merino unmarked. With the stadium already preparing for extra time, Spain engineered one final attack. A well-worked sequence created a gap in Portugal’s otherwise disciplined defensive block. Mikel Merino, the Real Sociedad midfielder, found himself in space inside the box and made no mistake, slotting home the only goal of the match in the 90+1 minute.
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The final whistle confirmed Spain’s triumph and Portugal’s elimination – a devastating blow for a team that had arrived at the tournament as one of the clear title contenders.
With three teams already qualified for the last eight, Spain awaits its next crossing with the winner between United States and Belgium.
History and Heartbreak
The victory carries deep historical significance for Spanish team. This marks Spain’s first appearance in a World Cup quarterfinal since 2010, when they lifted the trophy in South Africa -their first and only world title. For a generation of Spanish players and fans, the return to the last eight represents a breakthrough after years of early exits and underperformance on the biggest stage.
Spain have qualified for the Quarter-finals
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2026
For Portugal, the defeat carries an emotional weight beyond the scoreline. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years old and playing in his sixth and likely final World Cup, saw his international career end without the ultimate prize. The Portuguese captain -one of the greatest players in football history- departs the tournament stage with a legacy unmatched, but without the World Cup title that has eluded him since his debut in 2006.
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