Merino strikes at the death for Spain to send Portugal and Ronaldo limping out
Spain defeated Portugal in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 following a late goal by Mikel Merino. The match was heavily focused on the performance and legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo, who struggled to make an impact.
Why it matters
The match marks a potential end to the international career of one of football's most iconic players, signaling a shift in the sport's landscape.
Mikel Merino punches the air after scoring the winner in the first minute of second-half injury time. Mikel Merino punches the air after scoring the winner in the first minute of second-half injury time. World Cup 2026 Merino strikes at the death for Spain to send Portugal and Ronaldo limping out Jonathan Wilson at Dallas Stadium Mon 6 Jul 2026 17.09 EDT Last modified on Mon 6 Jul 2026 21.30 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google It ended with a goal from a tall, slightly ungainly figure driving through the centre-forward position – but perhaps not the one that the narrative demanded. In stoppage time, Mikel Merino ran on to Ferran Torres’s through-ball and, with impressive calm after a scrappy game that had largely lacked it, rolled the winner past Diogo Costa.
The article provides a sports-focused narrative analysis without political or ideological slant.
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