The closely contested match, played in Dallas, saw both sides create chances but remain deadlocked for most of the game before Spain struck a decisive late winner
DALLAS: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 7th, 2026) Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of lifting the World Cup trophy in what is expected to be his final appearance at the tournament.
The closely contested match, played in Dallas, saw both sides create chances but remain deadlocked for most of the game before Spain struck a decisive late winner.
Midfielder Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the match in the 90th minute, sealing Spain's victory and sending the European giants into the last eight.
The defeat brought Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign to an end, while Spain advanced to the quarter-finals.
The result also marked a heartbreaking conclusion to the World Cup career of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier confirmed that the 2026 tournament would be his last World Cup. The Portuguese captain was visibly emotional after the final whistle and was seen in tears as his long-standing dream of winning football's biggest prize came to an end.
Spain will now face Belgium national football team in the quarter-finals after Belgium defeated hosts United States men's national soccer team 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash. The quarter-final promises to be one of the marquee fixtures of the tournament as Spain continue their bid for a second World Cup title.
