Spain Eliminates Portugal in World Cup Round of 16 with Late Winner, Possibly Ronaldo's Last Match

The 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between Spain and Portugal ended in a 1-0 victory for Spain, with a dramatic late goal by Mikel Merino in the 91st minute. Both teams struggled to break through each other's defenses throughout the game, which remained scoreless until the final moments. Merino's goal, assisted by Fran Torres, secured Spain's place in the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the United States versus Belgium match.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who announced that this tournament would be his last World Cup, likely played his final match in the competition. The 41-year-old finished the tournament with three goals, bringing his total World Cup tally to 11 goals, making him Portugal's all-time top scorer in the tournament. Despite his announcement, there remains a possibility he could participate in the next World Cup, as Portugal is one of the host nations for the 2030 tournament.

The match was marked by cautious play, with Spain applying early pressure but failing to create significant chances in the first half. Portugal gradually gained more control but also could not threaten Spain's goal until the decisive late strike. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa made several key saves to keep Portugal in the game until the final minute.

Spain's victory ends Portugal's World Cup run this year and advances them to the next stage, continuing their pursuit of the title.