Spain’s Mikel Merino scores their first purpose previous Portugal’s Diogo Costa. — Reuters/File
ARLINGTON: Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to place Spain within the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and finish Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup profession on Monday.
The European champions will face the US — the one one of many co-hosts remaining — or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.
In entrance of an expectant crowd of 70,649 on the air-conditioned residence of the Dallas Cowboys, a match that on paper promised a lot didn’t ship.
Additional time appeared sure, earlier than fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the competition within the first minute of harm time.
It meant a bitter closing World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who appeared like he was choking again tears on the finish.
Spain captain Rodri praised the “maturity” of his aspect.
“If anyone thinks that we will move forward without suffering, they are mistaken,” he stated.
“We knew we had to wait for the right moment and it came, even if they also had chances to win the game,” added the Manchester Metropolis midfielder.
Heaping reward on match-winner Merino, who had solely been on the pitch six minutes, Rodri stated: “He’s a sensational player… one that I love.”
Ronaldo, now enjoying in Saudi Arabia, confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this might be his final dance on soccer’s greatest stage.
One of many best gamers of all time has refused to say when he’ll finish his worldwide profession and was ineffective right here.
The neighbours got here into the competition each unbeaten, however whereas Portugal had not been completely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a purpose within the match.
One of many pre-tournament favourites, they nonetheless have not.
For all their pedigree, expertise and historical past, Spain have solely lifted the World Cup as soon as, in 2010, whereas Portugal’s greatest was third place in 1966.
In Ronaldo and Spain’s 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, the last-16 showdown was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary abilities at reverse ends of their careers.
In fact neither lived as much as expectations on the day.
There was a sombre second shortly earlier than kick-off when a black-and-white picture of the late Portugal ahead Diogo Jota flashed up on the large display screen that looms over the sector.
Ronaldo cheered, jeered
Spain ought to have been forward with lower than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo performed in Mikel Oyarzabal however with solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he in some way pulled it effectively vast.
Portugal skipper Ronaldo had his first likelihood so as to add to his three objectives in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a decent angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain cranked up the stress, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in fast succession, the second a beautiful fingertip save.
Ronaldo — jeered and cheered in equal measure — was a marginal presence within the central attacking function he now occupies within the twilight of his profession.
Portugal ended the half on prime and Roberto Martinez’s aspect had been inches from taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro caught out his head and directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his personal crossbar.
The winger Yamal had endured a irritating time up in opposition to Mendes, however the Paris Saint-Germain full-back was pressured off injured after 56 minutes in a blow to Portugal.
The sport wanted a spark and Ronaldo, well-known to Spain from his time at Actual Madrid, threw up his arms when a go went astray.
Martinez made double modifications on 71 and 83 minutes, however saved Ronaldo on.
And in a sport that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino received it on the demise with a composed end that was out of retaining with a lot of what went on earlier than.
