Spain are through to the World Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic 1-0 win over Portugal. The match looked set for extra time, but Mikel Merino changed everything with a decisive goal in the 91st minute.
Spain control the game but struggle to finish
The round-of-16 meeting between Spain and Portugal carried huge weight from the start. It was not only an Iberian rivalry, but also a clash between two teams with serious ambitions of going deep into the tournament.
Spain entered the match after a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria, while Portugal had survived a difficult 2-1 battle against Croatia. Luis de la Fuente’s side looked fresher and more composed for long periods, taking control of possession and forcing Portugal to defend close to their own penalty area.
The problem was the final action. Spain created pressure, moved the ball well and produced several promising situations, but they lacked precision when it mattered. Portugal were less dominant, yet still dangerous on the break. Unai Simon had to stay alert, stopping attempts from Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo before half-time.
That kept the match goalless and left the second half finely balanced.
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Merino decides it in stoppage time
After the break, the pattern remained similar. Spain kept pushing, Portugal resisted, and the game gradually began to look like one that would need extra time. Then came the 91st minute.
Ferran Torres, introduced from the bench, played a precise pass into Mikel Merino. The Arsenal midfielder, also a substitute, stayed calm in front of goal and beat the goalkeeper with a low finish at the near post. It was a brutal moment for Portugal and a perfect example of Spain’s depth.
Portugal still had one final chance to force extra time. Bernardo Silva met the ball with his head, but his effort went narrowly over Unai Simon’s crossbar. That was the last real opportunity.
The final whistle confirmed Spain’s place in the quarter-finals and ended Portugal’s World Cup campaign. For Cristiano Ronaldo, this defeat carried extra weight. At 41, he had already indicated that this would be his final World Cup, meaning his career at the tournament ends without a medal.
Spain now move on to face the winner of the United States vs Belgium. If they get through that tie, a potential semi-final against France could follow, provided the French overcome Morocco.