2026 WC: Substitute Merino scores late winner as Spain knock out Portugal
Mikel Merino scored an injury-time winner for Spain as they knocked Portugal out of the World Cup in a last-16 tie in Dallas. Merino, who came off the bench, slotted low past goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 91st minute, resulting in a 1-0 score.
This result was a repeat of their meeting at the same stage in 2010 and sets up a quarter-final tie with either co-hosts United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday, 10 July (20:00 BST). Portugal's defeat ends 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career after the superstar confirmed this tournament would be his last. Spain squandered a chance after just three minutes, and Portugal went closest next, with Nuno Mendes' strike rattling the crossbar in the 41st minute.
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Spain and Portugal faced off in a highly anticipated World Cup last-16 tie, with both teams vying for a spot in the quarter-finals. The match
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