Mikel Merino broke Portuguese hearts with a goal in the 90th minute to send Spain into the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It was a match that looked destined for extra time before Merino’s late strike settled the Iberian derby. Spain’s territorial dominance throughout told in the end, even if the scoreline took until the final seconds to reflect it.
Key Moments
- 56′, Portugal make their first change, with Nuno Mendes withdrawn in what appeared to be a tactical adjustment.
- 71′, Roberto Martinez turns to his bench with a double change, bringing on substitutes for Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo as Portugal search for a way through.
- 75′, Spain respond with their own first substitution, Alex Baena coming off.
- 85′, Spain make two late changes, introducing fresh legs by removing Pedri and Dani Olmo.
- 89′, Bruno Silva picks up a yellow card for roughing, adding to Portugal’s mounting frustration.
- 90′, Mikel Merino scores a normal goal in stoppage time to give Spain a 1-0 lead. Renato Veiga is booked almost simultaneously for holding, and Mikel Oyarzabal is withdrawn as Spain close out.
Tactical Breakdown
Spain were the better side for most of the 90 minutes, and the numbers back that up. Luis de la Fuente’s team had 55% possession and completed 467 of 531 passes (88%), generating an xG of 1.77 against Portugal’s 0.58. Six shots on target forced Diogo Costa into five saves, and Spain earned seven corner kicks to Portugal’s three. Lamine Yamal and the midfield trio around Rodri kept Portugal pinned back for long stretches, and the defensive block around Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte gave away very little.
Portugal tried to be more direct after the double substitution at 71 minutes but never seriously threatened Unai Simon, who needed to make only two saves. The tactical picture did not change significantly with the alterations; Roberto Martinez’s side simply could not find the final pass or the movement to create clear chances, finishing with an xG of 0.58 and only two shots on target from ten total. Spain’s late substitutions, including removing Pedri and Dani Olmo in the 85th minute, brought fresh energy for the final push, and Merino’s presence in the box ultimately proved the difference.
Portugal’s inability to win second balls in midfield was the most consistent problem throughout. With Vitinha and Joao Neves unable to establish a rhythm against Rodri’s shield, Bruno Fernandes and the forwards were repeatedly isolated. The two yellow cards picked up in the 89th and 90th minutes told the story of a team that had run out of ideas and was reduced to fouling its way through the closing minutes.
Player Ratings
World Cup knockout bracket
Knockout results, aggregate scores across legs; winners in bold, penalty shootouts noted.
Head to Head
Verdict
Spain advance to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals after a performance that underlined why they remain one of the tournament’s strongest sides. Portugal, despite having Ronaldo and a talented supporting cast, never found the fluency to test Spain consistently, and the late goal felt like a fair reflection of 90 minutes of Spanish pressure. Roberto Martinez’s project hits a painful wall, while Luis de la Fuente’s side continue their march through the bracket.