Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career with a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16. The goal came in the first minute of second-half injury time when Merino ran onto Ferran Torres's through-ball and calmly rolled the ball past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Merino's Moment of Glory
Merino's celebration echoed his father's after scoring for Osasuna in Stuttgart in 1991, as he ran around the corner flag. The 28-year-old midfielder had previously scored a winner against Germany at the Euros two years ago. Spain will now face the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.
Ronaldo's Farewell
For Cristiano Ronaldo, this was the end of his World Cup journey. At 41, he confirmed after the match that he has played his last World Cup game. "I go with a clear conscience," he said. Ronaldo is the only player to score in six World Cups, but he will not score in another. His performance was subdued, with limited impact on the game.
Ronaldo's decline has been evident since the 2022 World Cup, where he was dropped for the round of 16 against Switzerland. His replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win. On Monday, Ronaldo struggled to influence the match, often demanding the ball but lacking the pace and energy to drive forward. He managed only a couple of hopeful shots and was frequently seen grimacing and pleading with teammates and officials.
Spain's Midfield Dominance
Leaving Ronaldo aside, Spain controlled much of the match with a dominant midfield performance. Rodri, recovering from an ACL injury, showed glimpses of his Euro form, bossing situations with calm authority. Nuno Mendes had a fine game for Portugal, shutting down Lamine Yamal and hitting the bar with a deflected shot before half-time. However, Mendes had to go off after overstretching to block a Yamal shot, allowing the Barcelona teenager to exert more influence.
Spain's attacking edge, a concern from the group stage, remained an issue. Lamine Yamal, perhaps hampered by injury, was less effective than at the Euros, and no player on the left offered the same threat as Nico Williams did two years ago. However, Spain had enough to secure the win.
Ronaldo's Legacy
Ronaldo's farewell was a limp one, as he trudged down the tunnel into the darkness, pursued by a TV camera. His ego has tainted his legacy in recent years, but he remains a great player. The comparison with Lionel Messi is inevitable: as Messi aged, he became smarter, rationing his running and drifting into unusual positions. Ronaldo, by contrast, remains central and demanding, often to the detriment of his team.
Portugal's midfield, which includes talents like Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, was held back by Ronaldo's presence. The nadir came late in the second half when a break was stifled as Ronaldo, lacking pace, had to check back and pass to his right-back.
Spain's victory sets up a quarter-final clash in Los Angeles, while Portugal and Ronaldo exit the tournament. For Ronaldo, the end has finally come, and it was a sad, impotent farewell for one of football's greatest players.
