Spain PM Sanchez Hails Team After Merino’s Late Winner Sinks Portugal

"You've once again proven...": Spain PM Sanchez hails team on FIFA WC QF qualification

Madrid, July 7

A late, 91st-minute strike from substitute Mikel Merino helped Spain secure a narrow 1-0 win over Portugal in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash, sending the Cristiano Ronaldo-led side out of the competition in front of a packed Dallas crowd on Monday.

In a post on X, the Spanish PM said, "To the quarterfinals! You've once again proven that talent, teamwork, and ambition can take you very far. The whole country is with you. Let's go, Spain!"

The match was filled with chances to score for both sides, but substitutes Ferran Torres and Merino made magic for Spain in the stoppage time, and it was just enough to end Cristiano's FIFA World Cup spanning six editions.

The match started with Lamine Yamal knocking over Joao Neves, inviting some fury from Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. In the fourth minute, Mikel Oyarzabal had his first shot at the goal, but the ball was safely caught by goalie Diogo Costa. While Joao Cancelo had an attempt from distance for Portugal, the Spanish unit continued to put together fine passes, with Oyarzabal missing another attempt while searching for a far corner.

Bruno Fernandes, in the 11th minute, slipped the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, who beat Aymeric Laporte with a stepover and unleashed a strike, which was stopped by Unai Simon, who parried it out for a corner.

In the 16th minute, Yamal's left-footed brilliance and a rebound from Alex Baena made quick efforts at the goal, but Portugal managed to clear and avoid adversity. In the 21st minute, Portugal won a free kick but could not make much out of it, heading into the hydration break.

Spain went on to dominate some of the action untill Cristiano Ronaldo made an acrobatic effort at scoring, hooking the ball towards the goal. Pedro Neto delivered a fine cross from the right, and Felix's header came into Ronaldo's path, who tried to score but saw his attempt saved by Simon.

The 39th minute saw Joao Felix, included in the attack by Portugal for the match, take a big whack on his shoulder as he crashed into an advertising hoarding, needing medical attention. Towards half-time, Nuno Mendes took a chance for Portugal from the edge of the box, which took a nick from Pedro Porro, and it crashed into the crossbar.

In the additional time added to half-time, both Ronaldo and Yamal made chances for their respective sides, but to no avail. The scoreline was undisturbed at 0-0. With Spain enjoying almost 55 per cent of ball possession, having eight shots (as compared to Portugal's five) and 11 touches in the opposition box (as compared to Portugal's four), the 2010 champions had a slightly better showing.

After the resumption of the play, Ronaldo was fouled by Olmo, giving Portugal a free kick, with Fernandes firing it straight into the hands of the goalie Simon. In the 59th minute, CR7 got a chance, with Felix cutting inside and clipping a ball to the back post. Cristiano tried a volley but could not get enough connection and saw the effort go wide of the near post.

The stalemate continued as Fernandes wasted a chance, with his volley crashing into the side netting. Despite the power it possessed, it failed to make it to the back of the net.

In stoppage time, just barely a few seconds into it, Mikel Merino spelt out death for Portugal's FIFA WC campaign with a stunning goal. Spain fell short with a free-kick, and Fabian Ruiz found Ferran Torres, who had come as a substitute. Torres slipped the ball to another substitute, Merino, who delivered a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Bernardo Silva missed a massive chance to score, and later, another free kick from Portugal missed the goal by miles, sending Portugal out of the competition and ending Ronaldo's journey in the FIFA WC.

— ANI