Spain player ratings v Portugal as Mikel Merino decisive and Unai Simón stands tall | OneFootball

Spain faced a high-stakes World Cup tie against Portugal, with Unai Simón pivotal and Mikel Merino the hero from the bench.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the first half swung on big moments. Simón produced a superb double save from João Félix and Cristiano, Nuno Mendes crashed the bar via a Pedro Porro deflection, and Mikel Oyarzabal squandered a one-on-one amid offside confusion.

After the break Portugal seized the initiative and errors crept in. Nuno Mendes’s injury opened lanes for Lamine Yamal, who drew saves and quickened Spain’s play.

Luis de la Fuente kept the same quarter-final XI that earned passage in the previous round. It was Unai Simón, a back four of Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella, Rodri with Pedri, Dani Olmo ahead, Álex Baena and Lamine wide, and Oyarzabal up top.

Player ratings saw Simón at 8 and fundamental. Laporte earned 8 for authoritative work on Cristiano, Cubarsí 7 for maturity. Porro took 5, exposed by Mendes then Rafael Leão, while Cucurella was a 6 and diligent.

Rodri 8 anchored and set the tempo. Pedri 5 was smothered by Vitinha. Olmo 7 was the clearest thinker before being withdrawn, and Baena 6 worked incisively then made way.

Lamine Yamal 7 was the spark and forced Diogo Costa into a fine stop. Oyarzabal 5 pressed but missed Spain’s best chance. Ferran Torres García 7 supplied an exquisite assist for Merino, rated 9, whose clinical finish proved decisive, while Fabián Ruíz 6 added control. Torres also conceded a foul in the final action that set nerves jangling.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo