Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rodri and Spain reach the quarter-finals ahead of Portugal

Rodri and Spain secured a 90th minute winning goal against Portugal to secure their passage into the last-eight of the FIFA World Cup.

Spain advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals in dramatic fashion at Dallas Stadium courtesy of a 91st-minute strike from Mikel Merino that simultaneously knocked out Portugal and brought a curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary international tournament career.

In a re-run of their 2010 Round of 16 encounter, La Roja dominated early openings, but Mikel Oyarzabal pulled an effort wide before Diogo Costa pulled off a fine double-save to deny Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena.

Portugal nearly struck against the run of play just before the interval when Nuno Mendes’ ferocious, deflected effort cracked off Unai Simón’s crossbar, keeping a cagey opening half deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half proved to be a low-tempo, tactical chess match where chances dried up completely, leaving an isolated 41-year-old Ronaldo cut a visibly frustrated figure leading the Portuguese front line.

Roberto Martínez’s side threatened late on when Bruno Fernandes rippled the side-netting, while Rúben Dias pulled off a heroic block to deny Dani Olmo at the other end. Just as the tie seemed destined for extra time, Luis de la Fuente’s tactical substitutions paid dividends.

Ferran Torres slid a clever pass through to fellow substitute Merino, who slotted a composed, low finish underneath Costa to lock in a heavyweight Friday quarter-final date against either Belgium or the host nation United States in Los Angeles.

Matheus Nunes matches statistics vs Spain

Unused from the bench.

Ruben Dias match statistics vs Spain

90 Minutes
55 Touches
42 Accurate Passes
84% Pass Accuracy
12 Passes Into Final Third
4 Recoveries
2 Clearances
2 Headed Clearances
2 Accurate Long Balls
1 Block
1 Aerial Duel Won

Rodri match statistics vs Portugal

90 Minutes
106 Touches
87 Accurate Passes
94% Pass Accuracy
13 Passes Into Final Third
7 Recoveries
4 Tackles
4 Ground Duels Won
2 Accurate Long Balls
1 Block
1 Clearance
1 Chance Created
1 Headed Clearance
1 Touch In Opposition Box

Data courtesy of FotMob.