Portugal Fall 0-1 to Spain in Heartbreaker — Merino Scores 91st-Minute Winner as Ronaldo Plays His Final World Cup Match

Portugal suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Spain in the round of 16 at Estadio Azteca, in a match that began at 3:00 AM Beijing time on July 7. In the previous round, Portugal had edged past Croatia 2-1 with a late winner, while Spain cruised past Austria 3-0. The two sides have met 41 times throughout history, with Portugal winning 7, drawing 16, and losing 18. Their most recent meeting came in last year's Nations League final, which Portugal won on penalties to claim the title. The winner of this match will face the winner of the United States vs. Belgium in the quarterfinals.

In the first half, Mikel Oyarzabal squandered a one-on-one chance, and Nuno Mendes struck the frame of the goal. The first half ended goalless. In the second half, Mendes was forced off through injury, and Dani Merino scored a dramatic late winner in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 victory for Spain over Portugal.

Key moments:
In the 7th minute, João Cancelo's right-footed shot from the right side of the box went just over the crossbar.
In the 9th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal broke through one-on-one but his left-footed shot went just wide of the far post.
In the 12th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo faced off against José Luis Rodríguez, cutting inside with a stepover before his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
In the 16th minute, Lamine Yamal cut inside for a curling shot that was saved, and Fermín Baena followed up with another attempt from the rebound. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa made two outstanding consecutive saves to keep the score level.
In the 31st minute, Dani Olmo headed narrowly wide from close range, though the assistant referee had already flagged for offside.
In the 37th minute, a cross from Pedro Neto found Francisco Félix at the back post, but his header was blocked by the onrushing goalkeeper. Ronaldo then followed up with an outside-of-the-foot effort from the edge of the box, but the keeper made another diving save to keep possession.
In the 41st minute, from a well-worked corner routine, Nuno Mendes cut inside and struck a powerful shot; Rúben Dias got a touch on the header, but the ball came off the crossbar.
In the 57th minute, Nuno Mendes signaled he could not continue and was substituted, with Nélson Semedo coming on in his place.
In the 73rd minute, Spain won a free kick on the right side of the box; Lamine Yamal shot directly at goal, but the effort was parried away by the goalkeeper with one hand.
In the 83rd minute, Portugal made a substitution, bringing on Bernardo Silva and Francisco Conceição for Pedro Neto and Vitinha.
In the 90+1th minute, Ferran Torres set up Dani Merino, who broke through one-on-one and finished with a low shot to give Spain a 1-0 lead.

This marked Cristiano Ronaldo's final match at a World Cup.

Portugal starting XI: D. Costa; R. Dias, Vega, Cancelo, N. Mendes; B. Fernandes, J. Neves, Vitinha; C. Ronaldo (C), Félix, Neto
Portugal substitutes: José Sá, R. Silva, Semedo, Araújo, Dalot, Inácio, Nunes, B. Silva, R. Neves, S. Costa, G. Ramos, Trincão, Leão, Guedes, Conceição
Spain starting XI: Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Le Normand, Cucurella; Rodri (C), Olmo, Pedri, Yamal, Baena; Oyarzabal
Spain substitutes: Raya, J. García, Puvill, Grimaldo, E. García, M. Llorente, Merino, F. Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, F. Torres, Pino, N. Williams, Muñoz, Borja