Mikel Merino scored a 91st-minute winner as Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 in Arlington, Texas, advancing to the quarterfinals. Ferran Torres supplied the pass and Merino finished low past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, according to Alex Kirkland.
The match had several near chances before the late winner. Mikel Oyarzabal missed a notable opportunity for Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo had a shot palmed away by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón, and Costa pushed away an attempt from Álex Baena with a fingertip save. Simón also denied Ronaldo before halftime, and a deflected effort from Nuno Mendes struck the crossbar, Kirkland reported.
Ronaldo had said before the match that this would be his last World Cup. In what was described as his final World Cup appearance, he recorded 19 total touches — 12 in the first half (the fewest he has had in a first half of a World Cup match) and seven in the second, with none after the 80th minute, Bill Connelly wrote. Ronaldo attempted three shots and came close in the 37th minute when Simón blocked a João Félix effort and then made a diving stop on the rebound.
Portugal finished the match with 10 shot attempts and 0.58 expected goals, and coach Roberto Martinez kept Gonçalo Ramos on the bench despite Ramos’ previous late heroics against Croatia, according to Connelly. Spain will now face either the United States or Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday, Kirkland added.
Connelly noted that Martinez’s tenure included a Nations League title but will be largely remembered for the decision to build Portugal’s World Cup campaign around Ronaldo. Portugal managed two goals in 351 minutes in matches with Ronaldo on the field against stronger opposition, and the team was eliminated despite a strong defensive display in this match.
