Spain snatched a late win in stoppage time to settle their blockbuster World Cup last 16 tie with Portugal thanks to Mikel Merino’s lovely finish into the bottom left corner.
In a largely tense game, with both teams appearing to settle for extra-time in Dallas, Ferran Torres slipped in the Arsenal forward, who stunned the Selecao.
The crushing loss hands Cristiano Ronaldo heartbreak, with Roberto Martinez’s side rarely gambling across the duration of the match.
Nuno Mendes did crash the bar in the first half before going off injured in the second, but ultimately Portugal lacked ambition and the European champions closed out the victory by becoming the first team in World Cup history to keep six consecutive clean sheets.
Follow all the latest reaction from the World Cup last-16 tie below:
Spain v Portugal LIVE
- Spain and Portugal meet in mouthwatering World Cup last-16 tie | Live on BBC One
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored crucial penalty in dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in last 32
- Spain eased past Austria 3-0 to enhance status as one of the favourites to lift trophy
- Co-hosts USA or Belgium await the winners in the quarter-finals
- Ronaldo snaps over questions surrounding Portugal retirement
- 90+1' GOAL! Merino slots home in stoppage time to hand Spain lead [POR 0-1 SPA]
Game in data
02:30 , Alan Smith
Portugal 0-1 Spain
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 6, 2026
Mikel Merino's added-time winner secures Spain's place in the quarter-finals at the expense of the Portuguese.
That might be the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career (we also said this four years ago tbf). pic.twitter.com/u6U4iTYoL7
Ronaldo's mentality like that of no other - Rooney
02:00 , Alan Smith
"He's got a mentality that I've never seen before, when you play at the top level, you have a certain mentality, but his goes beyond that,” he says on BBC. “He wants to play every game, break every record. He doesn't hold back in training. He believes he's the best player ever, he's had such a great career."
We made same mistake - Fernandes
01:30 , Alan Smith
“Obviously we are sad,” the playmaker said at full-time. “We came here with one goal: to win the whole thing. Unfortunately we were not at our best level. I think we played better in the first half today, but in the second half we made the same mistake of defending too low on the pitch, giving the ball to them. When this happens, sooner or later you are going to concede a goal. Congratulations to Spain, they have quality, but I think that if we continued doing what we did in the first half, we could have had a better result.”
Luck not on our side - Martinez
01:00 , Alan Smith
Departing head coach Roberto Martinez says: “The Portuguese people can be proud of this team and these players. It’s a real pity. We hit the crossbar. I think we deserved to take the game into extra time.
“We defended well. We were playing against one of the favourites to win the World Cup. Maybe we were just missing a bit of luck. Luck wasn’t on our side today, but it was a very evenly matched game.”
The other side of Ronaldo
00:45 , Alan Smith
17 - Most shots on record (since 1966) at a single edition of the FIFA World Cup without creating a single chance for a teammate:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo, 17 (2026)
Alberto Garcia Aspe, 15 (1998)
Jerzy Gorgon, 13 (1974)
Katlego Mphela, 13 (2010)
Denis Cheryshev, 13 (2018)
Ego. pic.twitter.com/RoXzmLjs6v
De La Fuente hails decisive bench
00:15 , Alan Smith
Luis de La Fuente, in his flash interview, said: “The decisive players were those who came off the bench. I told Merino he should play how he always does. His role is to support the midfielders and the forwards. With him, we were thinking about giving the team the rhythm and energy it needed. The players’ impact from the bench has been masterful, but that’s because we have 26 players of a very high level.”
Rodri superior
00:01 , Alan Smith
Rodri was player of the match. A reasonable choice - unlike many others as the tournament chases the cult of celebrity.
How Fifa’s bewildering World Cup award has distorted football reality
Player ratings - how Ronaldo and co performed
23:45 , Alan Smith
The Iberian rivals struggled to break each other down in a match of attrition, with Nuno Mendes coming closer than anyone inside 90 minutes when his strike was deflected onto the crossbar in the first half.
But with none of the contest’s starters having the key to find a winner, Mikel Merino came off the bench to provide another clutch moment for his country in stoppage time, slotting home after being set up by fellow replacement Ferran Torres.
Portugal were unable to find a late equaliser to save their World Cup campaign, ending 41-year-old Ronaldo’s dream of adding the elusive title to his trophy collection with retirement looming.
Portugal vs Spain player ratings: How did Ronaldo perform on his World Cup swansong?
Martinez confirms departure
23:30 , Alan Smith
"It's the end of the cycle. It's important to have a new voice, a new leader," Martinez said in his post-match press conference.
"I take with myself the memories, and hope that Portugal has good memories in the three years and a half I was head coach of the team. It was the experience of my life.
"It had not been decided previously (that I would leave after the tournament). I came with the goal to win the World Cup, and because I did not win, it does not make sense to continue."
Ronaldo in tears
23:15 , Kieran Jackson
Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears at full-time after his and Portugal’s World Cup dream ended in the last-16 against Spain in Dallas.
A stalemate for the majority, Mikel Merino’s decisive finish through on goal put Spain in front in stoppage time and Portugal could not find an equaliser despite going close in the dying seconds.
The World Cup is the only major competition Ronaldo has not won but now, at the sixth time of trying, the 41-year-old Portuguese captain will have to come to terms with not claiming international football’s biggest prize.
Cristiano Ronaldo in tears after Portugal crash out of World Cup to Spain
Late, late show - again
23:00 , Alan Smith
10 - There have now been 10 last minute winners (90th or 120th) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the outright most in a single edition of the competition.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026
Hydration. pic.twitter.com/6GbODOT5Et
Looking ahead
22:45 , Alan Smith
Up next Spain face Belgium or the US, who meet at 1am BST in a tie already full of controversy.
You can follow all the buildup to that one here.
USA v Belgium LIVE: Fifa rejects Balogun appeal before World Cup last 16 tie
Solid Spain's clean sheet run
22:30 , Alan Smith
It’s no 609 minutes since Spain last conceded.
Rooney hails Ronaldo
22:15 , Alan Smith
"He's a genius, a superstar, what he's given to football,” the former Manchester United teammate says on BBC.
“Of course he's playing in Saudi but at this level, to millions of people, it's something very rare, you won't see very often. He'll be very disappointed because he'll have thought he could win it. Unfortunately, time gets us all.
“I wouldn't rule him out of playing again for Portugal, that's his mentality. I think Roberto Martinez will [have regrets], I think Portugal did OK, they contained Spain, they had energy up front, but now it's a chance to blossom beyond the Ronaldo years, they'll see it as a new start. He absolutely lives and dedicated his whole life to football."
Spain through - but more to come?
22:09 , Alan Smith
Spain’s squad celebrate calmly. They were not quite as fluid in this one, the Iberian rivalry perhaps stifling their creativity for long spells, but it is yet another clean sheet and they look so, so solid at the back.
They will face USA or Belgium in the quarter-finals. Neither will fear them but there remains a sense that La Roja can find another gear in attack.
Farewell then, Ronaldo
22:05 , Alan Smith
Ronaldo stands alone near the centre circle, hands on hips and with plenty of cameras trained on him. He’s disappointed, of course. But when Portugal were struggling to do anything, it is utterly bizarre that Martinez did not have the strength to replace the captain with Ramos.
FULL-TIME! Portugal 0-1 Spain
22:02 , Alan Smith
Spain have won it in added time thanks to Merino’s lovely finish.
Portugal head home. That’s it for Ronaldo. He was a bystander for this one. As he was for much of the tournament.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
22:01 , Alan Smith
99’ - Torres lunges in on Conceicao, earning himself a booking and gifting Portugal one last chance with a free kick on the right, almost 40 yards out. Costa is coming up.
Fernandes takes it but Neves heads it wide and...
Portugal 0-1 Spain
22:00 , Alan Smith
98’ - We still playing but Portugal’s level of urgency is far from the maximum.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
22:00 , Alan Smith
97’ - Iglesias replaces Oyarzabal.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
21:59 , Alan Smith
96’ - Finally a cross. Finally a chance. Conceicao crosses from the right and Bernardo somehow gets above Rodri but his header lands on the roof of the net.
The former Manchester City teammates then exchange some feisty words.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
21:58 , Alan Smith
96’ - Portugal’s response appears to be not to bother responding.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
21:57 , Alan Smith
95’ - Leao does some needless trickery on the left. Put it in the box man!
Portugal 0-1 Spain
21:56 , Alan Smith
94’ - Viega is booked for halting Yamal on the counter.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
21:55 , Alan Smith
93’ - Portugal are trying to fashion a response. They have three minutes plus a little more.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
21:54 , Alan Smith
Merino takes a quick free kick. Half a dozen neat passes follow and the final one see Torres slide a simple ball through for Merino, whose run is untracked. He produces a deft finish.
Ronaldo is heading home. He has been anonymous again here when it matters. And, really, Portugal have been such a disappointment.
GOAL! Portugal 0-1 Spain (Merino 91)
21:53 , Alan Smith
And Merino might have won it! Just as we ticked into the start of six added minutes.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:51 , Alan Smith
89’ - The game’s first yellow card. Bernardo Silva clatters into Merino.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:51 , Alan Smith
88’ - Torres dawdles on the ball and then kicks it out of play. He was ineffective against Austria off the bench and is a bit off the radar too here.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:47 , Alan Smith
85’ - Olmo and Pedri are replaced by Ruiz and Merino.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:46 , Alan Smith
84’ - We probably deserve a dramatic shootout after enduring this.
Spain are readying a couple of subs.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:45 , Alan Smith
83’ - Portugal’s final changes see Bernardo Silva and Conceicao enter for Neto and Vitinha. They will get one more change when this match, inevitably, ends up going into extra time.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:43 , Alan Smith
81’ - It’s all Spain at the moment. But they also don’t look like scoring for all their territory.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:41 , Alan Smith
78’ - Dias makes a fine block to deny Olmo. Yamal will trot across to take a corner. Costa gets a hand on it yet again and he also punches the return cross away.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:40 , Alan Smith
76’ - Torres gets on the end of a ball over the top from Pedri but cannot find an angle so instead puts the ball into the side-netting.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:37 , Alan Smith
75’ - Yamal gets space and time to charge forward but his low cross is poorly struck.
Ferran Torres is on for Baena.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:36 , Alan Smith
73’ - And it is. Yamal whips it goalwards and Costa touches it over his bar for a corner.
Baena sends it in. Costa punches clear.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:34 , Alan Smith
72’ - Semedo bundles Yamal over about two yards right of the Portugal penalty area. This may be dangerous.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:34 , Alan Smith
71’ - Two changes for Portugal during the break. Leao and Dalot are on, Cancelo and Felix are off.
We’re back playing.
21:32 , Alan Smith
“Nothing has happened,” says Cesar Azpilicueta in the BBC studio. He’s right.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:31 , Alan Smith
68’ - Advert break.
Both teams need plenty of coaching to unlock something. Otherwise we are snoozing towards a penalty shootout.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:29 , Alan Smith
67’ - Spain do some tippy tappy stuff before Yamal goes down having tried to dribble past Semedo. Taylor gestures for him to get up.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:28 , Alan Smith
65’ - Baena, on his weaker left foot, drags a shot low at Costa.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:24 , Alan Smith
62’ - Baena’s corner is claimed with minimal fuss by Costa.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:24 , Alan Smith
61’ - Pedri lets loose from the ‘D’ but Veiga deflects it over.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:22 , Alan Smith
59’ - Felix hangs up a cross to Ronaldo at the back stick but there is too much sauce on it and the chance passes Portugal by.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:20 , Alan Smith
58’ - After the drama of last night, this is becoming increasingly dull.
The second half has been close to a non-event so far. Who can light the spark?
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:18 , Alan Smith
56’ - And that’s Mendes’ lot. Semedo is on for him.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:17 , Alan Smith
54’ - A big worry for Portugal now because Mendes is down and requiring physio treatment.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:15 , Alan Smith
52’ - Yamal has gotten precious little change from Mendes but he gets past him now and sends a low cross in that Portugal do well to clear.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:13 , Alan Smith
50’ - Cucurella tries to join a Spain attack but when it breaks down he has left a huge space for Neto to attack down Portugal’s right. But his cross for Fernandes is struck too firmly and it heads out for a throw-in.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:11 , Alan Smith
49’ - Fernandes sends the free kick that follows straight into Simon’s hands.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:10 , Alan Smith
48’ - Ronaldo purchases a smart/cheap foul from Olmo.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
21:08 , Alan Smith
46’ - Portugal restart. No changes for either side.
Half-time! Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:51 , Alan Smith
It’s not been amazing. File it under interesting and intriguing.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:48 , Alan Smith
48’ - Olmo is fouled about 35 yards out. Baena cross deep, Rodri nods it back towards goal but the whistle goes for offside.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:47 , Alan Smith
47’ - Porro seeks Yamal out but the youngster is offside.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:45 , Alan Smith
45’ - Rodri bloops over when he should probably pass.
There will be six added minutes.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:44 , Alan Smith
45’ - Mendes hangs up a deep cross that Simon plucks out of the sky.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:43 , Alan Smith
43’ - Felix tracks back gamely to dispossess Yamal, who wants what would be an undeserved free kick. Taylor says no chance.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:41 , Alan Smith
40’ - Portugal are having plenty of joy from Mendes finding Cancelo with diagonals. This latest effort leads to a corner from Baena’s block.
Neto is unhappy that he is being forced to continue playing with a ripped right boot.
When the corner is finally taken Portugal work it short to Mendes and he then takes a ferocious pop which is deflected off Porro’s head and on to the crossbar.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:38 , Alan Smith
37’ - Ronaldo goes close! Neto sends in a cross from the right, deep towards Felix. His header from a tight angle is saved by Simon and Ronaldo then tries an acrobatic finish, which Simon leaps to keep out.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:34 , Alan Smith
34’ - From what initially appeared a tepid move, Yamal suddenly thrills down the right after Pedri fed him, finding Olmo inside. Olmo then flashes a cross along the face of goal but no Spain player is on hand to tap it in.
They are back knocking on the door.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:33 , Alan Smith
33’ - Portugal are happy to sit off for now, allowing Spain the ball across their defence and midfield.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:31 , Alan Smith
31’ - Pedri’s long ball to try and find Cubarsi is unconventionally saved by Costa and Olmo heads the rebound wide. No matter, Olmo was offside when Pedri struck his pass.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:30 , Alan Smith
30’ - Porro zips down the right but Mendes recovers well, sliding in to intercept but give away a corner.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:26 , Alan Smith
27’ - We’re underway again.
20:25 , Alan Smith
On BBC Danny Murphy is leaning into the bit and talking about his cat again.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:23 , Alan Smith
23’ - The free kick is cleared, as far as Porro. His drive is deflected off the head of Porro and goes out for a goal kick.
And that’s the commercial break.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:22 , Alan Smith
22’ - From fouler to fouled, Baena is dragged down by Cancelo when trying to get behind and latch on to a Rodri through ball. This duel is proving fascinating.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:21 , Alan Smith
21’ - Better from Portugal. Fernandes and Cancelo exchange passes and the latter fires over - though the offside flag goes up after for Fernandes.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:19 , Alan Smith
19’ - Baena trips Neto after another Spain forway breaks down. La Roja are beginning to get on top here.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:17 , Alan Smith
16’ - Double save Costa! After a Portugal attack breaks down, Spain counter with Rodri playing Yamal into space. He darts in and curls goalwards. Costa parries it away strongly and Baena’s rebound then brings another solid stop.
The corner that follows is half-cleared but Spain come again, and again.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:14 , Alan Smith
14’ - Baena balloons over from an improbable position.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:12 , Alan Smith
12’ - Now Ronaldo brings a save from Simon. This one comes after Fernandes forces an error from Pedri, allowing Portugal’s playmaker to find the main goalscorer. The attempt is from a tight angle though and the ensuing corner is cleared.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:11 , Alan Smith
11’ - Replays of the penalty claim show Rodri certainly pulling on Ronaldo as they grappled. But the officials have no interest.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:10 , Alan Smith
10’ - Portugal win their first corner. Ronaldo goes down off the ball while Fernandes delivers. He want a penalty. Play continues.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:09 , Alan Smith
8’ - Spain slice through the heart of Portugal’s team with a quick exchange of passes. Rodri finds Baena and he finds Olmo. The No.10 then sneds a low diagonal through to Oyarzbal.
The striker has kept onside and looks in a great place to strike but his effort scuttles across goal and wide. That’s a good chance.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:07 , Alan Smith
7’ - Mendes switches play and that permits Cancelo to advance into space. About 25 yards he tries his luck but the attempt is off target.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:05 , Alan Smith
5’ - Mendes is unable to control a long pass down Portugal’s left. They are yet to settle into this one.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:03 , Alan Smith
3’ - Oyarzabal sees space open in front of him and he fires straight at Costa. Baena was charging forward down his left and may have been a petter option.
Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:02 , Alan Smith
2’ - Yamal trips Neves. Martinez is very angry about that. But it’s a free kick and nothing more.
Kick-off! Portugal 0-0 Spain
20:00 , Alan Smith
1’ - Spain get us going
Anthems time
19:55 , Alan Smith
Portugal’s is up first. They are in their first-choice kit.
Spain’s follows next. They are are in their second choice strip of mostly white with a red trim.
Here come the teams
19:53 , Alan Smith
They are in the tunnel in Dallas.
There are storms forecast in the area but this is an indoor stadium.
Villa's ominous warning
19:44 , Alan Smith
There were som fascinating comments from David Villa, the former Spain forward, on BBC’s Football Daily podcast. He believes there is much more to come from a squad that looked rather impressive against Austria.
“I know that Spain are not happy for the way they are playing,” he said. “They are winning the games but they are players that want more and they know they can do more.
“Winning the World Cup is always difficult because there are great teams here but seeing the way that Spain play, they can win of course. What team can stop them? France, could be Portugal.
“If you look at Spain, they are one of the best teams. I believe and I think Spain can do it [win the World Cup] again.”
Ronaldo eyes fine margins
19:37 , Alan Smith
For all his responding to the many, many haters during his pre-match press conference, Ronaldo also predicted that this match will come down to fine margins.
“In the end, whoever manages to take advantage of the small details in the match will be the winner,” he said. “And I hope that team will be Portugal. That's my feeling, and I believe we will win.”
Tonight's referee
19:30 , Alan Smith
Anthony Taylor is in charge of this one.
He has already blown the whistle for Senegal v Iraq and Uzbekistan v Colombia .
'The details will make a difference'
19:21 , Mike Jones
Here are the pre-match thoughts from Spain coach Luis de la Fuente:
“The details will make all the difference. I watched the Nations League game from last year again because the better we know our opponents – their strengths and their weaknesses – the better prepared we will be.
“I think the game will be very different, although our football idea is similar; we both like to have the ball. But it’s the World Cup which is a unique opportunity.”
Spain v Portugal
19:15 , Jack Rathborn
Are you watching, France? Spain breeze past Austria – and this is why they’re peaking at just the right time
19:00 , Kieran Jackson
While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower.
Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective, well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.
Are you watching, France? This is why Spain are peaking at just the right time
Spain XI confirmed
18:55 , Alan Smith
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Portugal XI confirmed
18:54 , Alan Smith
Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo
Unbeaten De La Fuente
18:54 , Mike Jones
Luis de la Fuente is unbeaten across his first 11 matches at either the World Cup or Euros wint 10 wins and one draw.
His Spain side have conceded just four goals in that run.
Ronaldo on Portugal preparation
18:47 , Mike Jones
“We’ve trained well and we’ve prepared well for the game. We’re going to face a tough team, but we’re ready.
“It’s been a good experience and we’re improving. We know it’s impossible to play well every game and it’s a tough competition.
“You only need look at who have been knocked out to see that.”
Ronaldo snaps over questions surrounding Portugal retirement
18:39 , Jack Rathborn
“I’m always body and soul to help the national team. Playing or not playing, I will always have an important role.
“I’ll finish when I want to, not when you want me to. It’s a waste of time to keep asking that question.
“But I don’t want to turn my attention to that. The most important thing is (the game against Spain on Monday).”
Spain's unbeaten run
18:36 , Mike Jones
La Roja are unbeaten in their last 34 matches (25 wins, nine draws), one shy of equalling their longest-ever unbeaten run of 35 set between February 2007 and June 2009.
Only Italy, with 37 between 2018 and 2021, have enjoyed a longer unbeaten run among European nations.
Unai Simon says Spain will focus on own game
18:30 , Mike Jones
The Spanish goalkeeper said: “We have to focus on our game, without forgetting that Portugal beat us in the Nations League.
“We know we have to play a great game, without lapses in concentration. Ronaldo is not the same player he was a few years ago, but he is still lethal in the box.
“We have to keep him as far away from the area as possible.”
Roberto Martinez previews Spain test
18:24 , Mike Jones
The Portugal boss spoke about how his team will take on Spain this evening: “We have a lot of respect for our opponents. Spain are a very good team with a clear idea. The two teams like to have the ball.
“Tomorrow, we have to defend well when we don’t have the play and control the transitions. I expect the same kind of game as the Nations League final, that finished 2-2.”
Will Spain's defence hold up?
18:18 , Mike Jones
Having kept Morocco scoreless before their penalty-shootout exit in the round of 16 in 2022, Spain could become the first side in World Cup history to keep six successive clean sheets if they shut out Portugal.
They are yet to concede in the 2026 edition of the tournament having kept clean sheets against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Austria.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
