Spain national football team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory over Portugal national football team.
The Round of 16 clash at Dallas Stadium looked set for extra time before Merino struck in the 91st minute, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner after collecting a perfectly weighted through pass from Ferran Torres.
Merino had been on the pitch for only six minutes after replacing Mikel Oyarzabal in the 85th minute, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s tactical substitution proving decisive.
Both sides produced an entertaining and closely contested encounter, creating several scoring opportunities but failing to find a breakthrough for most of the match.
Portugal threatened through Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes, but Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón produced a series of outstanding saves to preserve his clean sheet.
Spain also came close on multiple occasions, with Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pedro Porro, Álex Baena and Oyarzabal testing Portugal’s defence, while goalkeeper Diogo Costa made several crucial saves to keep his side in the contest.
Oyarzabal wasted Spain’s best first-half chance after racing clear on goal, while Ronaldo forced a sharp save from Simón at his near post. Costa also produced an impressive double save as the first half ended goalless.
Portugal suffered a major setback midway through the second half when Nuno Mendes was forced off injured and replaced by Nelson Semedo.
Coach Roberto Martínez responded by introducing Rafael Leão, Diogo Dalot, Francisco Conceição and Bernardo Silva, but the substitutions could not prevent Spain from snatching victory.
With six minutes of added time signalled by referee Anthony Taylor, Merino timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap before clinically converting Torres’ pass to send Spain through.
The victory extends Spain’s unbeaten World Cup record against Portugal, repeating their 1-0 triumph over the Seleção in 2010, while also securing a fifth consecutive clean sheet at the 2026 tournament.
Spain will face Belgium national football team in the quarter-finals on Friday, July 10.
Speaking after the match, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had confirmed before the game that the tournament would be his final World Cup, said he had no regrets despite the heartbreaking defeat.
“It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll have time to think about the rest, to be with my family, not make rash decisions, and just get on with life.
“That’s football, that’s the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on.
“The truth is, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (Euros), which for me is just as significant as a World Cup, honestly.
“That’s why, I repeat, I’m leaving with a clear conscience, at my best, and that’s it. Tomorrow is a new day, and life goes on.”
