Ronaldo's World Cup Ends

Ronaldo vs. Yamal: Portugal Takes on Spain

Substitute Mikel Merino struck in stoppage time to send Spain to the World Cup quarterfinals.(Bild: EPA/SAM WASSON)

Thanks to a late goal by substitute Mikel Merino, Spain won the “Derby Iberico” 1-0 against Portugal in the World Cup round of 16. It wasn’t until stoppage time that the forward secured the victory and averted the threat of extra time.

Spain, which had previously defeated Austria, has thus advanced to the quarterfinals—without conceding a single goal. Portugal’s elimination, however, likely also endsCristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning a World Cup title —the 41-year-old had hinted beforehand that this World Cup would be his last, which he ultimately confirmed after the final whistle.

Spain Gets Off to a Better Start
Spain got off to the better start in the blockbuster matchup in Dallas—an early attempt by Mikel Oyarzabal was too tame (3rd minute). Five minutes later, the forward ran alone toward the Portuguese goal but shot wide of the far post. Ronaldo made his first appearance in the twelfth minute, testing Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon with a shot from a tight angle.

Spain’s Yamal consoles Portugal’s Ronaldo(Bild: EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF)

Ronaldo’s artistic display
The reigning European champions responded with a double chance in the 16th minute. Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa had to stretch to make saves on shots by Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena. Before and after that, neither team took any major risks, though Portugal still managed to create another dangerous opportunity. On a spectacular move by Ronaldo, Simon had no trouble making the save; a shot by Nuno Mendes, deflected off Pedro Porro’s head, hit the crossbar (41').

Chances on Both Sides, Decision in stoppage time
After the break, Spain increased its possession, but for the time being, nothing more than half-chances emerged from a shot by Baena (65th minute) and a free kick by Lamine Yamal (73rd minute)—on both occasions, Costa was up to the task. At the other end, Bruno Fernandes hit the side netting (75'). The decisive moment came early in stoppage time. Substitute Ferran Torres set up Merino—who had entered the game just five minutes earlier—leaving Costa with no chance to make a save.

Spain Advances to the World Cup Quarterfinals(Bild: AP/Ashley Landis)

Spain’s Goalie Extends World Cup Record Clean Sheet Streak
In the closing moments, Bernardo Silva missed the equalizer; his header sailed just over the goal (96'). With this result, the Spanish are now unbeaten in 36 international matches. Their goalkeeper, Simon, extended his World Cup record clean sheet to 609 minutes.

“It was a match between two very strong teams”
Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, was delighted afterward. “It was a match between two very strong teams. We gave it our all and are happy to have made it this far,” the coach explained.

“That’s just the way soccer is”
Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard himself, was dejected after the team’s elimination. “It was an evenly matched game, and we at least deserved extra time, but that’s just the way soccer is.” The 52-year-old emphasized, however, that he was still proud of his team’s performance.

World Cup Round of 16: Portugal – Spain 0–1 (0–0).
Dallas, 70,649, Referee Taylor (ENG).
Goal: 0–1 (91.) Merino.
Portugal: D. Costa – João Cancelo (71. Dalot), R. Dias, Veiga, N. Mendes (56. Semedo) – J. Neves, Vitinha (83. Silva) – Neto (83. Conceicao), B. Fernandes, Joao Felix (71. Leao) – Ronaldo.
Spain: Simon – Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri, Olmo (85. Merino), Pedri (85. Ruiz) – Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal (97. Iglesias), Baena (75. Torres).