Spain v Portugal LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo left in tears as Mikel Merino strike confirms crushing World Cup last 16 loss

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The Independent

·6 juillet 2026

Spain v Portugal LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo left in tears as Mikel Merino strike confirms crushing World Cup last 16 loss

Spain snatched a late win in stoppage time to settle their blockbuster World Cup last 16 tie with Portugal thanks to Mikel Merino’s lovely finish into the bottom left corner.

In a largely tense game, with both teams appearing to settle for extra-time in Dallas, Ferran Torres slipped in the Arsenal forward, who stunned the Selecao.

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The crushing loss hands Cristiano Ronaldo heartbreak, with Roberto Martinez’s side rarely gambling across the duration of the match.

Nuno Mendes did crash the bar in the first half before going off injured in the second, but ultimately Portugal lacked ambition and the European champions closed out the victory by becoming the first team in World Cup history to keep six consecutive clean sheets.