Spain goes to the quarterfinals, Portugal eliminated with a goal by Merino in the 91st minute

It’s from Spain passes to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Portugal beat 0-1 thanks to goal of the substitute Merino. The Arsenal midfielder was decisive in determining the passage of the next round for his team and the end of the World Cup for the Portuguese team, in what was the last championship match of the season Cristiano Ronaldo’s careerin tears at the end of the race.

The opportunities of the first half and the Portuguese crossbar

Spain started strongly, with Oyarzabal moving on the edge of offside and finding himself alone in front of Diogo Costa after Olmo’s first suggestion, but without being precise in his conclusion which ended wide. De La Fuente’s men lost the lead after just eight minutes, and they came close again in the 16th minute, with the double save by Diogo Costafirst on Yamal’s curling shot from the right and then on Baena’s shot from the opposite side.

Portugal static but creating a good opportunity at the end of the half. On the development of a corner taken short, the conclusion from distance by Nuno Mendes it was decisively deflected by Pedro Porro thanks to which the ball crashed onto the crossbar. The first half of the game ended in a draw, with the feeling of greater Spanish dominance compared to the isolated gusts of the Portuguese.

The restart and the decisive changes at the end

In the second half problems for Martinez, who lose Nuno Mendes because of misfortunefronted with the Semedo entrance. Lots of technical errors on the part of both teams and a partial that remains blocked, without any offensive sound either from Diogo Costa or from Unai Simón.

In the final, however, it was De La Fuente’s substitutions that made the difference: the entrances of Ferran and Merino concretised, with the former’s pocket and the latter’s goal, the definitive Spanish advantage. Portugal’s latest attacks were in vain, a triumph for Spain who will face the winner of the match between the United States and Belgium in the quarterfinals.

Spain coach, an early final with Portugal

“A great match with two super teams, an early final. It could only have been a painful race, but in the end we managed to win it at the end. Merino? Mikel must always accompany the action with offensive insertions, which he did today. I wanted to insert him to give pace for extra time, he was perfect and decided it with a goal. Well him and everyone who came in, I have twenty-six valuable players. The quarters? We arrive with great confidence, we should give everything until the end.” These are the words of Luis de La Fuentecoach of Spain, who spoke following the 0-1 victory against Portugal in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.