Spain Squad Successfully Defeated Portugal 1-0, Ronaldo's Journey Ended

Through Mikel Merino's dummy goal, Spain defeated their neighbors Portugal, and advanced to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal. (Instagram @fifaworldcup)

JAKARTA - The Spanish squad secured a ticket to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals after a narrow 1-0 win over Portugal in the round of 16 at the Dallas Stadium, USA, Tuesday morning WIB.

Mikel Merino's single goal in injury time sealed La Roja's victory and ended Cristiano Ronaldo's journey with Portugal in this tournament.

The victory brought Spain into the quarter-finals to face the winner of the United States vs. Belgium match. Meanwhile, Portugal must end their journey at the 2026 World Cup.

The match was intense from the very first minutes. Spain immediately threatened in the second minute through Mikel Oyarzabal's long-range shot, which was still able to be secured by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal responded five minutes later with a hard shot from Joao Cancelo who was still soaring. Oyarzabal again got a golden opportunity after receiving a pass from Dani Olmo, but his finish when facing Costa was wide of the target.

Before the second match, the stars shook hands; Lamine Yamal, the young player from Spain, with the senior star from Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo. (Instagram @fifaworldcup)

Spain continued to press. Lamine Yamal forced Costa to make a save with a curved shot, before Alex Baena failed to take advantage of a rebound because he was again blocked by the Portuguese goalkeeper. Dani Olmo's efforts moments later were also blocked by Joao Cancelo.

Portugal almost broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Cancelo's header from Pedro Neto's pass was saved by Unai Simon, but the loose ball that Cristiano Ronaldo caught was able to be secured by the Spanish goalkeeper.

Towards the break, Nuno Mendes almost brought Portugal ahead with a hard shot after a corner situation. Only the ball hit the crossbar so that the score remained 0-0 until the break.

Entering the second half, both teams increased the intensity of the attack. Pedro Neto's low cross in the 52nd minute failed to reach Ronaldo or Joao Felix in front of the Spanish goal.

In the Spanish camp, Alex Baena and Lamine Yamal took turns testing Diogo Costa's toughness, but it hasn't produced results.

Portugal also threatened with Bruno Fernandes' volley which was narrowly off target, while Dani Olmo's shot was blocked by the Selecao defense.

When the match seemed to continue into extra time, Spain finally broke the deadlock in the 90th+1 minute.

Ferran Torres sent a breakthrough pass which was calmly settled by Mikel Merino who managed to get past the offside position before defeating Diogo Costa.

The goal, as reported by Antara, was the only one created until the final whistle. Spain won 1-0 and advanced to the quarter-finals, while Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo had to end their journey at the 2026 World Cup.

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo (Dalot 71'), Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes (Semedo 56'); Joao Neves, Vitinha (Bernardo Silva 83'); Pedro Neto (Conceicao 83'), Joao Felix (Leao 71'), Bruno Fernandes; Cristiano Ronaldo (captain).

Spain (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri (captain), Pedri (Fabian Ruiz 85'); Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena (Ferran Torres 75'), Dani Olmo (Mikel Merino 85'); Mikel Oyarzabal.