In a nail-biting match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 to enter the quarter-finals. In the very last moments of the game (91st minute), Spain’s player Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal with an assist from Ferran Torres.
With this defeat, world football star Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the World Cup was shattered and his World Cup journey came to an end. Both teams put up intense competition throughout the match. Neither team was able to score until the final moments of the game. But with a brilliant goal by Mikel Merino from a Ferran Torres pass in injury time, Spain secured the win.
With this loss, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the World Cup was broken. This was possibly his last international match. Even though he couldn’t win the World Cup trophy, Ronaldo’s contribution to Portugal and world football will always remain unparalleled.
This is the first time since 2010 that Spain has qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals. Spain will face Belgium in the quarter-final match to be held in Los Angeles next Friday. Belgium defeated the USA 4-1 in another match.
