Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rodri and Spain reach the quarter-finals ahead of Portugal | OneFootball

Rodri and Spain secured a 90th minute winning goal against Portugal to secure their passage into the last-eight of the FIFA World Cup.

Spain advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals in dramatic fashion at Dallas Stadium courtesy of a 91st-minute strike from Mikel Merino that simultaneously knocked out Portugal and brought a curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary international tournament career.

In a re-run of their 2010 Round of 16 encounter, La Roja dominated early openings, but Mikel Oyarzabal pulled an effort wide before Diogo Costa pulled off a fine double-save to deny Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena.

Portugal nearly struck against the run of play just before the interval when Nuno Mendes’ ferocious, deflected effort cracked off Unai Simón’s crossbar, keeping a cagey opening half deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half proved to be a low-tempo, tactical chess match where chances dried up completely, leaving an isolated 41-year-old Ronaldo cut a visibly frustrated figure leading the Portuguese front line.

Roberto Martínez’s side threatened late on when Bruno Fernandes rippled the side-netting, while Rúben Dias pulled off a heroic block to deny Dani Olmo at the other end. Just as the tie seemed destined for extra time, Luis de la Fuente’s tactical substitutions paid dividends.

Ferran Torres slid a clever pass through to fellow substitute Merino, who slotted a composed, low finish underneath Costa to lock in a heavyweight Friday quarter-final date against either Belgium or the host nation United States in Los Angeles.

Matheus Nunes matches statistics vs Spain

Unused from the bench.

Ruben Dias match statistics vs Spain

90 Minutes55 Touches42 Accurate Passes84% Pass Accuracy12 Passes Into Final Third4 Recoveries2 Clearances2 Headed Clearances2 Accurate Long Balls1 Block1 Aerial Duel Won

Rodri match statistics vs Portugal

90 Minutes106 Touches87 Accurate Passes94% Pass Accuracy13 Passes Into Final Third7 Recoveries4 Tackles4 Ground Duels Won2 Accurate Long Balls1 Block1 Clearance1 Chance Created1 Headed Clearance1 Touch In Opposition Box

Data courtesy of FotMob.