Merino punishes Portugal with stoppage-time winner against Spain

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·6 Juli 2026

Merino punishes Portugal with stoppage-time winner against Spain

Spain knocked Portugal out of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory in Arlington, Texas, as Mikel Merino struck in the 91st minute to settle a tense last-16 encounter. Ferran Torres provided the assist after both came off the bench, with the goal breaking the deadlock after 90 minutes of goalkeeping heroics from Diogo Costa and Unai Simón.

Portugal created clear chances through João Félix and Nuno Mendes in the first half, while Cristiano Ronaldo squandered an opportunity from inside the six-yard box after the break. Spain's patient build-up eventually paid off when Merino burst between the Portuguese centre-backs to finish coolly and send La Roja into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Portugal v Spain.

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Winners

Mikel Merino (Spain)

Mikel Merino delivered the match-defining moment just six minutes after entering the pitch, timing his run perfectly to latch onto Ferran Torres' pass between Portugal's central defenders and finish with his left foot into the bottom corner in the 91st minute.

The substitute showed composure that belied the pressure of the occasion, receiving the ball inside the box and picking his spot past Diogo Costa. He completed every pass during his brief appearance and positioned himself intelligently to receive the ball in dangerous areas throughout his 14-minute cameo.

His decisive intervention broke the deadlock that had frustrated both sides for 90 minutes and secured Spain's place in the quarter-finals for the first time since their 2010 World Cup triumph. It was a goal of ruthless efficiency at the moment it mattered most.

Diogo Costa (Portugal)

Diogo Costa produced a goalkeeping masterclass that kept Portugal in contention until the dying minutes. His exceptional shot-stopping prevented Spain from establishing control and ensured the match remained finely balanced despite their territorial dominance for large portions of the evening.

His finest moment came in the 17th minute when he tipped away Lamine Yamal's curling effort before recovering brilliantly to deny Álex Baena's follow-up with his trailing hand. He later made an outstanding diving save to keep out Pedri's dangerous strike in the 31st minute, using his left foot to make a spectacular stop.

Despite his heroics, Costa was beaten by Merino's well-placed finish and could do nothing to prevent Spain's late breakthrough. His performance deserved better than elimination, but his efforts ensured Portugal remained competitive until the final action of the match.

Loser

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating evening leading Portugal's attack. His most clear-cut opportunity came in the 60th minute when he found himself inside the six-yard box, but his weak right-footed finish went straight into Unai Simón's hands without troubling the goalkeeper.

Earlier, Ronaldo had struck a powerful first-half shot that Simón parried well, and later saw another effort from the rebound of João Félix's header also saved by the Spanish goalkeeper. He struggled to find space against Spain's compact defence throughout and was frequently dispossessed when attempting to hold the ball up for teammates.

Portugal needed their captain to deliver in a knockout match, but Ronaldo's inability to convert his chances proved costly as Spain found a way to win with one strike from their substitutes. He remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes despite limited involvement, watching as Merino's goal ended his potential final World Cup.