Lead

Mikel Merino scored an injury-time winner as European champions Spain beat Iberian rivals Portugal in a tense last-16 encounter to book a place in the quarter-finals and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career, as reported by France 24 and RFI.

Merino broke the deadlock in the first minute of time added on at the AT&T Stadium outside Dallas to send the Spaniards into a last-eight clash against either Belgium or the United States in Los Angeles on Friday, according to France 24.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the match centered on the dramatic late winner and its significance for Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Jazeera's preview focused on the matchup itself, noting that Portugal faced Spain in Dallas, Texas at 19:00 GMT, and highlighted that Ronaldo could play the final World Cup game of his career against the nation where he spent nine years at Real Madrid.

France 24 reported the result with emphasis on Merino's goal, describing the encounter as "tense" and noting that Spain's victory ended Ronaldo's World Cup career. RFI provided the most detailed account, including the attacking opportunities for both teams and quotes from Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, attributing the win partly to his tactical substitutions.

Key Claims

  • Mikel Merino scored in second-half stoppage time to send Spain past Portugal, as reported by multiple sources.
  • The goal came in the first minute of added time, with Merino collecting a pass from Ferran Torres and slotting past goalkeeper Diogo Costa, according to RFI.
  • Spain booked a place in the quarter-finals and ended Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career, as stated by France 24 and RFI.
  • Portugal substitute Bernardo Silva and Joao Neves both went close to equalising, but Spain held on, according to RFI.
  • Spain won the European championship in 2024, as noted by RFI.
The match saw early attacking intent from both sides. Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal tested Costa from distance and later dragged a shot wide after a slick move, while Portugal's Joao Cancelo lashed a shot over the crossbar, per RFI. Bruno Fernandes dispossessed Pedri to set up Ronaldo, but Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon blocked the effort. Costa made two saves in quick succession, denying Lamine Yamal and a spectacular fingertip effort from Alex Baena's follow-up. Simon also blocked Joao Felix's header and pushed away Ronaldo's volley, while Nuno Mendes went closest with a shot redirected onto the bar by a deflection off Pedro Porro as Portugal finished the half on top, all as recounted by RFI.

Merino, an 85th-minute replacement for Olmo, made the breakthrough, vindicating the gamble of Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. "We wanted to make sure we pushed forward as far as we possibly could," said de la Fuente, as quoted by RFI. "We thought the substitutes might give us the spark we would need in extra time."