Substitute Mikel Merino scored during first-minute stoppage time of the second half to send Spain into the World Cup quarterfinals after a 1-0 victory against Portugal in Monday’s round-of-16 match in Arlington, Texas.
Merino’s goal six minutes after entering the pitch takes Spain to their first quarterfinal since claiming their sole World Cup title in 2010.
They will face the winner of today’s United States versus Belgium match on July 11 in Inglewood, California.
Portugal’s defeat likely ends the World Cup career of 41-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored three goals across his record sixth appearance.
Unlike Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who won the 2022 tournament in his fifth outing, Ronaldo ends his sixth World Cup without reaching a final. Portugal’s best result during his time was a semifinal in his 2006 debut.
The contest remained largely uneventful.
Merino’s winner, his first tournament goal after six in qualifying, arrived after a quiet second half from a simple restart outside the penalty area.
Substitutes Ferran Torres and Fabian Ruiz combined centrally to release Merino alone in the box, where his low finish beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa inside the left post.
Portugal’s attack stayed quiet until late when seeking an equalizer. Bernardo Silva came closest with a header just over the bar in added time.
The effort would have been undeserved, as Portugal rarely tested goalkeeper Unai Simon, who made two saves while keeping Spain the only side yet to concede.
Spain started better. Mikel Oyarzabal shot wide in the ninth minute after an early attack beat Portugal’s offside trap, and eight minutes later Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena forced Costa into a double save.
Portugal improved in the half. Ronaldo made Simon leap for a comfortable save in the 37th minute, and four minutes later Nuno Mendes struck the crossbar after a deflection.
