Merino’s 91st-minute goal sends Spain past Portugal, ends Ronaldo’s World Cup career

Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 on Monday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career in heartbreak.espn+2

The match appeared destined for extra time before a Ferran Torres through-ball found Merino in the penalty area. The Arsenal midfielder slotted the ball past goalkeeper Diogo Costa to send Spain into the quarterfinals for the first time since their title-winning run in 2010.espn

A Cruel End for Ronaldo

For Ronaldo, 41, the defeat marked the likely conclusion of his World Cup journey. The Portuguese star had confirmed before the tournament that this would be his last World Cup, and the stoppage-time loss provided a cruel final chapter. Portugal came close to leveling the score twice in the dying moments after Merino's strike, but Spain held firm under pressure from Luis de la Fuente's side.wwnytv+2

Ronaldo's World Cup career spans five tournaments, beginning in 2006 in Germany. Monday's match was among the most painful endings imaginable for one of the sport's all-time greats — a single moment of quality separating him from at least 30 more minutes on the world's biggest stage.foxsports+1

Spain March On

Spain, the reigning European champions and FIFA's second-ranked team, now await the winner of Monday's later match between the United States and Belgium. That quarterfinal is scheduled for Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.nytimes+1

De la Fuente's squad entered as slight favorites but had been unable to break down a stubborn Portuguese defense for 90 minutes before Merino's intervention. The result extends Spain's recent dominance over their Iberian neighbors and keeps alive their hopes of adding a second World Cup title to the one they claimed in South Africa 16 years ago.espn+1