Spain stuns Portugal in the 90th minute to reach quarters: Merino the hero; Cristiano says goodbye

TO THE QUARTERS, mate! 🇪🇸 Spain knocked out Portugal (1-0) in the dying seconds and sneaks into the last eight of the World Cup. When the match was crying out for extra time, up stepped Mikel Merino —who else?— to unleash absolute scenes in Dallas and across Spain. Brilliant game, proper drama, and a Spanish side that keeps getting better.

The match. It was billed as a final before the final and it absolutely was one. Portugal came out to lock horns with La Roja and nearly had them on the ropes (a thunderbolt from Nuno Mendes that hit the crossbar, with Porro nearly turning it in, had hearts in mouths). But gradually, with Rodri controlling the tempo like an orchestra conductor —Player of the Match for good reason—, Spain took control of the ball and the pitch.

Merino, the hero again. Oyarzabal fluffed a sitter and, when everything pointed to extra time, De la Fuente made his move from the bench. And that's where the winning mentality showed: Ferran Torres, also a sub, produced a perfect assist and Mikel Merino buried it by the post in the 90+. The same Merino who was already the hero at Euro 2024 against Germany. "The important players are the ones who come off the bench," said the manager. Pure dressing room stuff.

Cristiano bows out, Lamine takes over. Beyond the result, there was a historic edge to the match: Cristiano Ronaldo (41) played his last World Cup and left in tears. Across from him, Lamine Yamal (18) put on another masterclass. Football turning a page in real time: first Haaland knocked out Neymar, and now Lamine sees off Cristiano. One era ends, another begins.

What's next: the quarters. Spain face their quarter-final on Friday, July 10th at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, against the winner of USA-Belgium. Still dreaming, and louder than ever.

📊 Match stats · 📰 Match preview · 🇪🇸 Spain's road ahead · 🚩 Why Merino always scores the crucial goals

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