Spain’s late goal eliminated Portugal from the 2026 World Cup and may have put an end to the illustrious international career of Cristiano Ronaldo. Mikel Merino’s goal in the 91st minute was all the Spanish needed to advance to the quarterfinals, where they will play the winner of Monday’s USA-Belgium match.

Both teams had good opportunities to score in the opening half. Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal was through on Portugal’s goal alone early on in the first half but sent his shot wide in the best chance for La Roja. The best opportunity for Portugal came through Nuno Mendes, whose deflected shot rocketed off the crossbar after cleanly beating Spanish keeper Unai Simón.

Second Half

The second half started much like the first half, as both teams created occasional chances, with most of the action coming from the Spanish. It took until the 76th minute for the Portuguese to worry Simón off a shot from Bruno Fernandes that came close but sailed just outside the near post.

As time ran down, Portuguese manager Roberto Martinez started to remove some key players for fresh legs but left Ronaldo on the pitch, the 41-year-old superstar who has been his team’s focal point for many years but has been giving declining returns in recent years.

It took until the game was just about to enter injury time for the breakthrough to arrive. A pass from Rodri to Ferran Torres unlocked the defense, who took a half turn and slid in Mikel Merino unmarked on the Portuguese net. The midfielder easily fired past Diogo Costa for the opening goal in the 91st minute – enough to give Spain a path to the quarterfinal.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.