Late Spain goal eliminates Portugal, ends Ronaldo’s international career? | World Cup 2026 News
Mikel Merino’s Stoppage-Time Goal Sends Spain Past Portugal
Published July 6, 2026
Arlington, TX — Mikel Merino found the back of the net in the first minute of stoppage time, leading Spain to a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, effectively concluding Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
The decisive moment occurred when Merino, after being fouled, executed a quick free kick. He advanced towards the goal and finished with a shot past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa, assisted by Ferran Torres.
Spain’s victory marks its first advancement to the quarterfinals since it captured its sole World Cup title in 2010. La Roja will face either the United States or Belgium on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium.
Ronaldo aimed to guide Portugal to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive tournament, an achievement the nation has yet to accomplish. The 41-year-old is now expected to retire from international play as the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233).
Merino’s goal came after he entered the match as a substitute in the 85th minute, showcasing the versatility that contributed to Arsenal’s first Premier League title in over two decades this past May. His selection for Spain’s squad had been in doubt due to injuries that also affected his club season.
The match also marked the latest chapter in the historic rivalry between the Iberian Peninsula nations, whose first encounter was a friendly in Madrid 105 years ago. The contest contrasted sharply with their previous World Cup meeting, where Ronaldo scored three goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw during the group stages of the last tournament.
Ronaldo managed to score three times in this tournament but was limited in his opportunities against Spain’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon. Spain created more chances and seemed poised for extra time until Merino’s late strike.
Spain recorded a new World Cup record with its sixth consecutive clean sheet, extending Simon’s shutout streak to 609 minutes. The streak exceeds Italy’s record from 1990 and Switzerland’s from 2006 to 2010 for the most consecutive matches without conceding a goal. It began with a scoreless draw against Morocco in the 2022 knockout stage.
Prior to the Portugal match, Simon, who had only made four saves in the tournament—none against Austria, who had no shots on target—produced two critical saves in the first half. His second stop against Ronaldo was particularly impressive, showcasing his agility.
The victory solidifies Spain’s position as a formidable contender as the tournament progresses.