Spain defeats Portugal 1-0 as Ronaldo plays final World Cup match

Spain secured a 1‑0 victory in the round‑of‑16, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in injury time to keep the hosts on a perfect record. The win, achieved against a resilient Portuguese side, extended Spain’s unbeaten run in the tournament and set up a quarter‑final clash with Belgium.

Portugal’s exit also marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career. The veteran forward played his final match in the tournament and subsequently confirmed his retirement from international football, closing a storied chapter for the Portugal national team.

Spain’s next opponent will be Belgium, after Rudi Garcia’s Belgium side defeated the United States 4‑1 in the preceding match. That game was mired in controversy, as former U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA were involved in a dispute that led to FIFA reversing a refereeing decision before kickoff. The outcome of the quarter‑final will determine whether Spain can continue its quest for a third consecutive World Cup title.