Spain edge Portugal late to send Ronaldo out in final World Cup match

ARLINGTON: Substitute Mikel Merino struck in stoppage time as Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, in what became Cristiano Ronaldo’s final match at the tournament.

Spain, the reigning European champions, will now play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles. The win also preserved Spain’s defensive record at the competition, with Luis de la Fuente’s side still yet to concede a goal.

The last-16 tie at the Dallas Cowboys’ air-conditioned stadium drew a crowd of 70,649, but a contest billed as a marquee meeting between neighbouring rivals produced few moments of sustained quality. With extra time approaching, Ferran Torres, himself introduced from the bench, slipped a pass through for Merino, who had only been on the field for six minutes, to finish in the first minute of added time.

The result brought a disappointing end to Ronaldo’s World Cup career. The 41-year-old Portugal captain, now playing in Saudi Arabia, had said before the game that this tournament would be his last on football’s biggest stage. At full time, he appeared to be holding back tears.

Spain survive and strike late

Both teams entered the match unbeaten. Portugal had progressed without fully convincing, while Spain had moved through the tournament without conceding. Spain, considered among the pre-tournament favourites, kept that record intact.

There was a subdued moment before kick-off when a black-and-white image of the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota was shown on the giant screen inside the stadium.

Spain nearly went ahead inside the opening 10 minutes when Dani Olmo played Mikel Oyarzabal through on goal, but the forward dragged his effort wide with only Diogo Costa to beat. Portugal’s first clear opening fell to Ronaldo, whose effort from a tight angle was pushed away by goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Spain then increased the pressure, with Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena both forcing saves from Costa in quick succession, including a fingertip intervention on the second attempt. Ronaldo, who was both cheered and jeered by sections of the crowd, remained largely on the margins in his central attacking role.

Portugal ended the first half strongly and came close to taking the lead when Pedro Porro diverted a shot from Nuno Mendes onto his own crossbar. Mendes had also done well in his duel with 18-year-old Barcelona winger Yamal, but Portugal suffered a setback when the Paris Saint-Germain full-back had to go off injured after 56 minutes.

Rodri praises Spain’s composure

As the match remained cagey, Spain captain Rodri said his team had shown patience in waiting for the decisive opening.

"If anyone thinks that we will move forward without suffering, they are mistaken," he said. "We knew we had to wait for the right moment and it came, even if they also had chances to win the game."

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez made double substitutions in the 71st and 83rd minutes but kept Ronaldo on the pitch. In the end, however, the breakthrough came for Spain, with Merino applying a composed finish that settled a match in which clear chances had otherwise been limited.

Spain have won the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal’s best finish remains third place in 1966. The meeting had also been framed as a clash between Ronaldo and Yamal, two standout figures from different generations, but neither emerged as the central influence over the contest.

Rodri reserved special praise for Merino after the final whistle. "He's a sensational player... one that I love."