Spain advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010, defeating Portugal 1-0 on Monday in Dallas on a dramatic stoppage-time goal by substitute Mikel Merino. The victory ended the World Cup run of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who played in his fifth and likely final tournament.
Merino, who entered the match in the second half, broke a scoreless deadlock deep into stoppage time when he beat Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa with a clinical finish. The goal electrified the crowd and sent Spain into the next round, where they will face either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California.
Portugal struggled to generate meaningful chances throughout the match, and Ronaldo was unable to find the back of the net. Spain’s defense remained impenetrable, having not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far. Ronaldo, who scored three goals in this World Cup, watched from the pitch as time expired, his team unable to mount a late equalizer.
Ronaldo’s participation in the tournament had been a subject of debate, with questions about whether he should remain a starter for Portugal. Despite the controversy, he leaves the World Cup stage with three goals in this edition, adding to his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. His future with the national team remains uncertain, but this defeat likely marks the end of his World Cup career.
Spain now turns its attention to the winner of Monday night’s Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium, which will be played in Seattle. The U.S. team enters that contest with renewed confidence after a controversial disciplinary decision involving star striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun, who received a red card in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was initially set to serve a suspension that would have kept him out of the Belgium match. However, FIFA reversed the suspension after President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review. The intervention, which invoked Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, drew criticism from several soccer federations, including Belgium’s.
The U.S. team managed to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 despite being down a man after Balogun’s red card. Malik Tillman scored a crucial free kick goal in the second half to seal the victory and send the Americans into the knockout stage. Balogun was named to the starting lineup for the Belgium match, giving the U.S. a significant offensive boost.
Belgium advanced to the Round of 16 in dramatic fashion, coming from two goals down in the 80th minute against Senegal. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans in the 85th and 89th minutes forced extra time, and Tielemans converted a penalty kick in the final moments to secure the win. The comeback kept Belgium’s tournament hopes alive and set up a high-stakes clash with the United States.
As Spain prepares for its quarterfinal matchup, the team will have the opportunity to scout its next opponent during Monday night’s game. The winner of the U.S.-Belgium match will face a well-rested Spanish side that has yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Spain’s defense, combined with Merino’s late heroics, has positioned them as a serious contender as the World Cup enters its final stages.
The tournament continues to deliver dramatic moments, from Ronaldo’s emotional exit to the political controversy surrounding Balogun’s suspension. With the quarterfinals set to begin later this week, the remaining teams are vying for a spot in the semifinals and a chance to claim the World Cup title.
