Spain Advances, Ronaldo Out
Mikel Merino's Stoppage-Time Goal Knocks Portugal Out, Ending Ronaldo's World Cup Dream
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Key Points
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Spanish media reaction to Ronaldo after Portugal's exit was largely critical, with outlets describing him as diminished and not the decisive figure of old: ABC called him 'largely unnoticed' and a 'shadow of his former self,' La Razón cited limited participation and lack of movement, AS asked 'What about Cristiano?', and Marca gave him a very low rating.
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Merino, introduced from the bench, started and finished the stoppage-time winner by finishing a move set up after Ferran Torres freed him with a through-ball following a quick, rolled free-kick to the left; Torres found Merino unmarked in the box before he struck home.
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Spain extended its defensive run to six straight World Cup clean sheets, becoming the first team in the tournament's history to post six consecutive shutouts and continuing a broader 35-game unbeaten run.
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Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup farewell was marked by emotional scenes, with reports noting his tearful exit as Portugal bowed out and Spain advanced, underscoring the emotional weight of the moment for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Substitute Mikel Merino broke Portuguese hearts in the 91st minute, scoring a 1-0 winner to send Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career. The late goal, set up by Ferran Torres from a quick free-kick move, left Ronaldo in tears as Portugal bowed out of the tournament, according to The Local.
Spain will next face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles. They have now kept six straight World Cup clean sheets — the first team in history to do so — and extended an unbeaten run to 35 games, per African Insider.
Merino's 91st-Minute Strike Seals It for Spain
Merino came off the bench to replace Dani Olmo late in the match. With seconds into stoppage time, Spain won a quick free-kick on the left. Torres rolled it short, then slipped a through-ball into the box. Merino arrived unmarked and struck home. It was a move that lasted just seconds but ended Ronaldo's final World Cup, The Local reported.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised Merino's ability to change games from the bench. Merino started and finished the decisive move entirely on his own. It reinforced his growing reputation as Spain's most reliable impact substitute in big matches.
Ronaldo Exits in Tears After a Night to Forget
Ronaldo, 41, was largely invisible throughout the 90 minutes. Mirror reported that Spanish media were unanimous in their verdict: he was a shadow of his former self. ABC called him 'largely unnoticed.' La Razón cited his 'limited participation and lack of movement.' Marca gave him a very low match rating.
AS simply asked: 'What about Cristiano?' After the final whistle, Ronaldo broke down in tears. He had confirmed before the tournament that this would be his last World Cup. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner walked away without adding to his legacy on the sport's biggest stage, according to Give Me Sport.
Spain's Defense Makes World Cup History with Six Clean Sheets
Spain's 1-0 win was their fifth clean sheet of the tournament and their sixth in a row across World Cups. No team in World Cup history had ever posted six straight shutouts before this run. Their defensive record has been the backbone of a surprisingly dominant tournament campaign, per African Insider.
The match in Arlington was tight and tense for long stretches. Portugal created chances but could not break through. Spain's backline held firm and let Merino do the rest. The win keeps alive a 35-game unbeaten run that now stretches across two major tournaments.
Spain Face USA or Belgium Next in Los Angeles
Spain now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will play either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles. The matchup is yet to be decided. But Spain arrive as one of the form teams left in the draw — tight at the back, clinical when it matters, and with Merino ready to deliver again from the bench, according to Newsy Today.
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