Spain Scores Late Against Portugal, Heads to Quarterfinals

Spanish substitute Mikel Merino’s goal just one minute into second-half stoppage time was enough to send La Roja past neighbor Portugal and into the round of eight.

With the 1-0 win on Monday, Spain has yet to concede a goal in this tournament after five matches; goalkeeper Unai Simón has now kept a clean sheet for more than 600 total minutes in his World Cup career.

It was a tactical match that was fairly even in shots, possession, and passing.

Spain’s substitutions proved to be the difference-maker in what was likely the last World Cup for 41-year-old Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Merino, who came on at the 85th minute, also set up the breakthrough that became the game-winner.  

He was assigned to take a free kick outside of Portugal’s penalty box, but instead of sending in a shot or cross, he chose a quick restart, passing it short and square to a teammate, and then running forward unmarked.

Substitute Ferran Torres easily connected a short pass to Merino, who had no defenders in front of him and the entire goal to shoot at from close range.

Portuguese substitute Bernardo Silva almost equalized in the 97th minute, getting his head past two Spanish defenders, but directing the cross over the crossbar.

Portugal’s final chance was in the 99th minute, from a free kick about 30 yards out. Joao reached an in-swinging cross but headed it wide left of the goal.

In the first 20 minutes of the match, both teams at times attacked with nine players deep into their opponent’s end. During the final 20 minutes, all players needed to attack and defend from box to box.

Spanish captain Rodri Hernandez congratulated both sides on a great game.

“We beat one of the best teams in the world,” he told a FIFA reporter after the match.

As for the millions of Spain supporters, he added: “We feel your support. This is something that drives us to give absolutely everything we can on the pitch, and this is what drives us to the very end.”

Ronaldo left the pitch with an unmatched record of World Cup longevity, having scored in six consecutive World Cups, including a hat trick in the 3–3 draw with Spain in 2018.  

He spent much of his professional club career in Spain with Real Madrid.

“He’s been an exemplary captain,” Portuguese head coach Roberto Martinez said of Ronaldo during the post-game press conference.

“He is an example, a role model to follow. We’re talking about a football icon. I think we need to thank him for what he tried to do in this World Cup.”

Martinez said he does not regret any of his tactics in this match, including substituting more offensive-minded players in the second half.

“We’ve been very brave defensively, but what happened in the round of 16 is decided by a fine margin,” he said. “We are very much proud of this squad. We gave our very best, but luck was not on our side.”

Portugal’s best result in a World Cup was third place in 1966. Spain won the title in 2010.

Portugal beat Spain in the last major tournament between the two sides via penalty kicks in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente commended his team’s depth, saying that even substitutes who play in the final minutes of a match always believe they can help their side win.

“Their contributions here and in other games have been enormous,” he said in the post-game press conference.

As for the collective, De la Fuente added, this team is special because every player has both exceptional talent and outstanding character.

“If you have all of that, you get a competitive, fantastic team that fights to the very end,” he said.