Spain breaks Ronaldo’s dream with dramatic late winner
DALLAS: Spain ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s final FIFA World Cup campaign in heartbreaking fashion, edging Portugal 1-0 with a stoppage-time winner from Mikel Merino to book their place in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
In a tense contest that produced few clear-cut opportunities, the breakthrough finally arrived deep into added time when the Arsenal midfielder burst between Portugal’s central defenders and calmly slotted home to settle the all-Iberian clash.
The defeat could mark the end of Ronaldo’s illustrious international career. The 41-year-old had confirmed before the tournament that this would be his final World Cup, leaving uncertainty over whether he has now played his last match for Portugal.
Fresh from their European Championship triumph, Spain advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the United States versus Belgium for a place in the last four.
