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Qatar News Agency reported that Spain advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging Portugal 1-0 in a tightly contested round of 16 match held in Dallas. Mikel Merino came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in stoppage time, finishing a move started by fellow substitute Ferran Torres. The result eliminated Portugal while keeping Spain firmly in contention for the title, building on their strong defensive record throughout the tournament.
The encounter proved cautious for long stretches as both sides employed disciplined tactics that produced few clear scoring opportunities, according to the agency. Portugal increased their attacking intent after falling behind and fashioned two headed chances from crosses in the dying minutes. Neither effort found the net, however, confirming their exit from the competition on July 7.
Spain extended their remarkable run of clean sheets to six consecutive matches at the World Cup, a feat no other team has achieved in tournament history, The Analyst data shows. This defensive resilience complemented earlier victories, including a 1-0 group stage win over Uruguay and a 3-0 triumph against Austria in the round of 32, ESPN recaps noted. Such consistency has positioned La Roja among the favorites as the knockout stages intensify.
The defeat marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, with the 41-year-old forward unable to inspire a comeback in what multiple outlets including NBC News described as his likely final appearance in the competition. Ronaldo started the full match but saw limited service as Spain controlled key areas of the pitch. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez acknowledged the shortfall in performance following the result.
“Obviously, we are sad. We came here with one goal, to win it all. Unfortunately we were not at our best level,” Martinez told reporters after the match, as carried by Al Jazeera. Spain’s coach struck a more positive tone in his comments to the same outlet. “In the end, we took our chance and decided the match. But we can’t rest on our laurels yet. We’re delighted with the win.”
This Iberian derby echoed Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal at the 2010 World Cup, after which La Roja went on to lift the trophy, historical accounts confirm. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, now sees Spain paired against Belgium in the quarterfinals following the latter’s victory over the United States. Belgium advanced on the same day, Qatar News Agency coverage indicated.
