Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
World Cup Match
The match was played in Arlington, Texas, and Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010.
Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and easily beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa after a series of passes capped by Ferran Torres’ nifty ball through the middle.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised Merino, saying, ‘He’s one of the best in his position worldwide, and he has given us a fantastic result and a fantastic goal.’
Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer’s biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals and appearances.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
