Arlington, USA – Spain secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over Portugal in their Round of 16 match at the 2016 FIFA World Cup. This win propelled Spain into the quarterfinals and ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup campaign.
The match, which was characterized by competitiveness and defensive caution, took place at the Dallas stadium, before the Spanish team snatched the winning goal in the dying moments.
The only goal of the match came in the first minute of stoppage time. Mikel Merino capitalized on a through ball inside the penalty area, firing a powerful low shot into the net. This secured Spain’s passage to the next round.
ملخص مباراة البرتغال وإسبانيا | الدور ثمن النهائي – كأس العالم FIFA 2026™#كأس_العالم2026 pic.twitter.com/hfytkyMS8v
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 6, 2026With this victory, the Spanish national team qualified for the quarter-finals, where they await the winner of the match between the United States of America and Belgium.
The match also held a special significance. It marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2026 World Cup campaign, following Portugal’s elimination in the round of 16. This match could have been his last in the tournament.
