Spain sink Portugal in 91st minute thriller

Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in their world cup last-16 match in Dallas, courtesy of a 91st-minute goal from substitute Mikel Merino. The result sends Spain into the quarter-finals, where they will face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday, 10 July.

The victory brings a definitive end to the world cup career of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old had previously confirmed that this tournament would be his final appearance on the global stage. Despite his efforts, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact, managing only 19 touches during the match.

The game remained locked in a tense stalemate for the vast majority of play. Spain controlled much of the early momentum, with Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal forcing key interventions from Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Portugal came closest to scoring in the 41st minute when a deflected strike from Nuno Mendes rattled the crossbar.

Following a lacklustre second half, the breakthrough finally arrived in added time. Ferran Torres slipped a precise pass to Merino, who calmly slotted the ball past Costa to seal the win. The goal marks a significant moment for Spain as they continue their pursuit of world cup history.

This encounter mirrored their previous high-stakes meetings, including the 2010 world cup and the 2025 Uefa nations league final, where margins were similarly thin. For Spain, the focus now shifts to their upcoming quarter-final, while Portugal departs the tournament following a frustrating night where their attacking efforts failed to find the target. The match concluded in a poignant scene as younger players comforted a visibly disappointed Ronaldo, highlighting a potential transition in footballing generations.

-BBC