For 90 minutes Monday, Spain-Portugal appeared destined for extra time with a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake.
But Spain‘s Mikel Merino took a pass from Ferran Torres and slipped it past Portugal goaltender Diogo Costa and inside the left post for a stoppage-time goal in the 91st minute.
The goal broke a scoreless tie in Arlington, Texas, and ultimately secured a 1-0 win for Spain, which advances to the quarterfinals and ends Portugal’s run in what was the final World Cup game for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Portugal had multiple chances to equalize, but a Rafael Leão header from the box finished above the crossbar, and a free kick in the final seconds of the game resulted in a header that landed wide left of the goal.
With the win, Spain advances to take on the winner of Monday night’s USA-Belgium game in the quarterfinals.
Spanish defense continues to stifle
The win continued a dominant defensive run for Spain, which has yet to yield a goal in five games in this World Cup. Since opening the tournament with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde in group play, Spain has reeled off a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, a 1-0 win over Uruguay and a 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32 before Monday’s shutout win.
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On Monday, Spain controlled 56% of the possession time and limited Portugal to just two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Unai Simón was excellent when he saw action, including on a first-half save of a Ronaldo shot off a rebound on perhaps what was Portugal’s best scoring chance.
Minutes later, Portugal’s Nuno Mendes hit a shot off the crossbar off a corner kick that came excruciatingly close for Portugal to giving it a 1-0 lead.
But chances for Portugal from there were few and far between as Spain’s defense stifled Portugal’s looks at the net.
Portugal goaltender Diogo Costa was brilliant for much of the game as he sent back repeated shots on goal and recorded five saves as Spain’s offense struggled to capitalize on its looks.
But Merino’s late look was one too many for Costa to turn away, and Portugal’s World Cup ends in defeat at the hands of rival Spain.
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Heartbreak for Ronaldo
After the game, Ronaldo was visibly emotional as the gravity of the moment became clear.
After six World Cups, one of the greatest players of his generation and all time won’t play in another. Ronaldo will be 45 years old for the next World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s quest to advance beyond it best-ever finish in the quarterfinals at the World Cup in 2022 will have to wait.
Spain enters the quarterfinals among the favorites to win what would be its second-ever World Cup championship. It won the World Cup in 2010 in its first-ever trip to the title game.
