Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career with stoppage time winner over Portugal

Spain scored deep into stoppage time to beat Portugal 1-0 in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 in Dallas, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s international tournament career.

Substitute Mikel Merino broke the deadlock in the 90+1 minute, slipping past the Portugal defence to finish a pass from fellow substitute Ferran Torres.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa had kept the scoreline level until then, making four saves across the match. Portugal’s best chance came in the 41st minute when Ronaldo’s acrobatic bicycle kick was well saved by Unai Simon, before Nuno Mendes struck the crossbar via a deflection off Pedro Porro moments later.

[See more: Haaland dumps Brazil as England beat Mexico in Azteca classic]

Spain dominated for most of the game, holding 56 percent of possession and creating the better chances, but struggled to break down a well organised Portugal side. Bernardo Silva came closest to an equaliser for Portugal, heading a cross over the bar in the game’s final minutes.

Ronaldo, who started the match, had said the day before kickoff that this would be his last World Cup. The 41-year-old made history this year as the first player to score at six different World Cups. It is the first time Portugal have failed to reach the quarterfinals since 2018, when they were eliminated by Uruguay.

Spain advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Monday’s later match between the United States and Belgium in Los Angeles.