DALLAS: Spain edged Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals at the Dallas Stadium on Tuesday.
Mikel Merino, who was brought in as a substitute, scored a last-gasp winner to put La Roja into the quarter-finals.
The match was played in front of a crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned stadium.
Both teams failed to score in an entertaining opening half. In the ninth minute, Mikel Oyarzabal had the golden opportunity to score the opening goal; however, he threw it wide of Diogo Costa.
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Portugal skipper Ronaldo also had his first chance to add to his three goals in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a tight angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain cranked up the pressure, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession, the second a wonderful fingertip save.
Cristiano Ronaldo, jeered and cheered in equal measure, was a marginal presence in the central attacking role he now occupies in the twilight of his career.
Portugal ended the half on top, and Roberto Martínez’s side were inches from taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro stuck out his head and directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his own crossbar.
The winger Yamal had endured a frustrating time up against Mendes, but the Paris Saint-Germain fullback was forced off injured after 56 minutes in a blow to Portugal.
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The game needed a spark and Ronaldo, well known to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray.
Martinez made double changes in the 71st and 83rd minutes, but kept Ronaldo on.
And in a cagey game, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it at the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what had gone on before.
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