Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half added time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal, ending the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino, who had just been knocked down during a foul, quickly played the ball back into play, ran toward goal, and beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa after a pass from fellow substitute Ferran Torres.
Spain Advances to Quarter-Finals
Spain advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since winning their only World Cup title in South Africa 16 years ago. La Roja will face either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California. The victory marked Spain's sixth consecutive World Cup clean sheet, a tournament record, breaking a tie with Italy (1990) and Switzerland (2006-10). Goalkeeper Unai Simon extended his personal World Cup record to 609 minutes without conceding a goal.
Ronaldo's World Cup Career Ends
Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233), was trying to lead Portugal to consecutive World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Instead, his career on soccer's biggest stage is over. The 41-year-old scored three times in this tournament but had few chances against Spain's defense. "It's a sad moment for me and for Portugal, but football goes on," Ronaldo said after the match, according to reports.
Merino's Impactful Substitute Appearance
Merino entered the match in the 85th minute and showed the versatility that helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title in more than 20 years in May. He had been doubtful for Spain's squad due to injuries that also affected his Premier League season. "I just tried to be ready and take my chance," Merino said. "It's a dream come true."
A Contrast to Previous World Cup Match
The match was a stark contrast to the teams' most recent World Cup meeting eight years ago, when Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw in Russia, considered one of the tournament's best games. This time, Spain's defense held firm, and Merino's late goal sealed the victory. The Iberian derby, which first took place in a friendly in Madrid 105 years ago, ended with Spain celebrating a historic win.
