Super-sub Merino ends Ronaldo’s last dance as Spain edge Portugal 1-0 to reach World Cup quarterfinals

For European fans, much about this World Cup feels unfamiliar, staged as it is under North American standards. So when the knockout bracket served up a classic Iberian derby between Portugal and Spain in Dallas, the football world took notice. On one side stood Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance on the global stage – the 39-year-old striker had confirmed before kickoff that this would be his final World Cup. On the other, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain – a side that looks unchanged yet has grown steadily more solid at the back throughout the tournament. Spain started by pinning Portugal deep in their own half. Oyarzabal squandered an early chance, while Yamal and Baena tested Diogo Costa, who was equal to everything. Portugal’s best response came just before the break: Nuno Mendes unleashed a rocket from the right side of the box, the ball deflected off Porro’s head and smacked the crossbar. Ronaldo then threw himself at the rebound but Simon made a brilliant save. The second half was far less eventful. Long stretches passed without a real threat, but Spain’s grip on possession tightened. Mendes’ injury and substitution in the 56th minute only helped La Roja push forward. De la Fuente held back his changes and struck deep into stoppage time. On the first added minute, Ferran Torres found Mikel Merino on the left side of the box, and the midfielder beat Costa with a low shot into the near post. Portugal scrambled for an equalizer but created only one half-chance – Bernardo Silva heading over the bar. Referee Anthony Taylor’s final whistle confirmed Spain’s place in the quarterfinals. For Portugal and their icon Cristiano Ronaldo, the knockout dream ended at the second hurdle. Portugal 0-1 Spain Goal: Merino 90+1 Portugal: D. Costa – Cancelo (Dalot 71), Dias, Veiga, Mendes (Semedo 56) – J. Neves, Vitinha (B. Silva 83) – Neto (Conceição 82), B. Fernandes, Félix (Leão 71) – Ronaldo. Spain: Simon – Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri, Pedri (Ruiz 85) – Yamal, Olmo (Merino 85), Baena (Torres 75) – Oyarzabal (Iglesias 90+7). Yellow cards: Veiga, B. Silva – Torres.