Portugal vs Spain

In one of the most emotionally charged matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain edged Portugal 1-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington thanks to a Mikel Merino goal in the first minute of stoppage time — ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career in the cruelest possible fashion. It was a match that lived up to every expectation in terms of tension and drama, if not always in quality. Spain were the better side throughout, controlling possession with their trademark composure and creating the more dangerous moments through Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Portugal, marshalled superbly in defence by Rúben Dias, hung on grimly and came close through Bernardo Silva, whose second-half header sailed narrowly over. But Spain's pressure finally told deep into stoppage time. A brilliant low pass from Ferran Torres found Mikel Merino, who had slipped in behind the Portuguese backline, and the midfielder slid the ball past Diogo Costa to send the Spanish end of the stadium into raptures. For Ronaldo, who had declared before the match that this would be his final World Cup regardless of the result, it was a devastating farewell. The Portuguese captain walked off the pitch in silence, and later confirmed his international retirement in an emotional post-match interview, saying he had given everything for his country. He ends his World Cup journey having scored in six consecutive tournaments — a record that will stand for decades. Spain advance to face the winners of USA vs Belgium in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles on July 10, looking like one of the most complete sides left in the tournament.