Portugal vs Spain Review: Merino’s 91st-Minute Goal Ends Ronaldo’s World Cup Journey

The decisive moment arrived one minute into stoppage time.

Spain restarted play quickly from a free kick and moved the ball before Portugal had completely reorganised their defensive structure.

Mikel Merino initially played the ball back into the move.

Instead of remaining in midfield, he immediately continued his run toward Portugal’s penalty area.

Ferran Torres recognised the movement and returned the ball into Merino’s path.

The midfielder moved between Portugal’s defenders and placed a low finish beyond Diogo Costa.

Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring Spain’s dramatic stoppage-time goal against Portugal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Photo: AP

Spain led 1-0.

Merino had been on the pitch for only a few minutes.

Portugal had almost no time to respond.

The final whistle arrived in the 95th minute and confirmed Spain’s place in the quarterfinals.

Spain refused to panic despite Portugal protecting the scoreline for almost the entire match.

Rodri and Pedri controlled the tempo and allowed Spain to repeatedly recycle possession.

Rather than forcing risky passes into crowded central areas, Spain moved Portugal’s defensive block from side to side.

Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena attempted to stretch Portugal from the wide positions.

Dani Olmo moved between midfield and attack looking for spaces behind João Neves and Vitinha.

Portugal’s discipline meant Spain were unable to create an early breakthrough.

However, the constant defensive movement gradually placed physical pressure on Roberto Martínez’s team.

The introduction of Merino added a different attacking threat.

Spain now had a midfielder prepared to run beyond the forward line rather than simply control possession outside Portugal’s defensive shape.

That exact movement produced the winning goal.

Diogo Costa produced another outstanding goalkeeping performance for Portugal.

Spain attempted 15 shots and placed six on target.

Costa made five saves and repeatedly prevented Spain from turning their possession advantage into a goal.

His positioning allowed Portugal to protect a 0-0 scoreline deep into the second half.

The goalkeeper also remained aggressive when dealing with high balls and Spain’s deliveries into the penalty area.

Without Costa’s performance, the knockout match could have been decided much earlier.

Merino’s stoppage-time finish was ultimately the only effort that beat him.

Portugal’s defensive structure was excellent for almost the entire match.

However, Roberto Martínez’s team struggled when attempting to transition from defence into attack.

Vitinha and João Neves were forced to spend increasing periods protecting the defensive line.

That created a large distance between Portugal’s midfield and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo received limited service and was regularly surrounded by Spain’s centre-backs.

Pedro Neto and João Félix also found it difficult to consistently progress into dangerous central areas.

The statistical result was significant.

Portugal recorded only two shots on target during the entire match and failed to test Unai Simón after halftime.

Spain therefore became increasingly comfortable controlling territory.

1. Spain controlled midfield through Rodri and Pedri: The pair dictated possession and repeatedly forced Portugal to defend deeper.

2. Portugal protected the central areas: Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga and the double pivot denied Spain easy routes toward goal.

3. Ronaldo became isolated: Portugal’s defensive positioning created too much distance between midfield and their centre-forward.

4. Spain remained patient: Luis de la Fuente’s team recycled possession rather than forcing low-percentage attacks.

5. Diogo Costa delayed the breakthrough: Five saves kept Portugal level until stoppage time.

6. Portugal offered almost no second-half attacking threat: Unai Simón did not face a shot on target after halftime.

7. Merino provided a late midfield run: Portugal’s defenders were focused on Spain’s forward line and failed to follow the substitute’s movement.

8. Spain’s bench decided the game: Ferran Torres assisted Mikel Merino for the winning goal.

Starting XI: Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves; Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix; Cristiano Ronaldo.

Approach: Roberto Martínez used a compact defensive block and attempted to transition quickly through Portugal’s wide attackers before finding Ronaldo centrally.

Starting XI: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.

Approach: Spain controlled possession through Rodri and Pedri, stretched Portugal through the wide areas and remained patient until late midfield movement created the winning goal.

⭐ Mikel Merino: Entered in the 85th minute and scored Spain’s 91st-minute winner.

⭐ Diogo Costa: Made five saves and kept Portugal in the match until stoppage time.

⭐ Ferran Torres: Provided the decisive pass for Merino’s winning goal.

⭐ Rodri: Controlled Spain’s midfield rhythm and possession structure.

⭐ Pedri: Helped Spain dominate the centre and maintain attacking pressure.

⭐ Rúben Dias: Led Portugal’s defensive resistance for almost the entire match.

⭐ Cristiano Ronaldo: Produced Portugal’s first shot on target in his final World Cup appearance.