Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup last-16 match on Monday, thanks to a late goal from Mikel Merino. This result not only propelled the European champions into the quarter-finals but also marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup career.
Merino's Late Heroics Seal Spain's Victory
In front of a crowd of 70,649 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Spain's Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of injury time. The goal came after fellow substitute Ferran Torres provided a crucial assist, allowing Merino to finish coolly past Diogo Costa. The victory was bittersweet for Ronaldo, who had announced prior to the match that it would be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.
Spain dominated possession throughout the match but struggled to convert their chances. They had a close call when Dani Olmo set up Mikel Oyarzabal, who missed a clear opportunity to score early in the game.
Ronaldo's Final World Cup Match
Ronaldo, who is now 41 and plays in Saudi Arabia, was a shadow of his former self during the match. Although he had a couple of attempts on goal, including a powerful shot saved by Unai Simon, he could not influence the game significantly. The match served as a poignant reminder of his remarkable career, which includes three goals in the current tournament.
