Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
APTOPIX Spain Portugal WCup Soccer Spain's Pedro Porro, top, congrats Spain's Mikel Merino, right, after scored during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Spain Portugal WCup Soccer Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates after Spain's Mikel Merino (6) scored their first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Spain Portugal WCup Soccer Spain celebrates their first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Portugal in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Spain Portugal WCup Soccer Spain's Mikel Merino (6) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
AP Photo/Sam Hodde
Spain Portugal WCup Soccer Spain's Mikel Merino (6) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres.
Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.
Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer’s biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals.
