ARLINGTON, United States — Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career on Monday.

The European champions will face the United States — the only one of the co-hosts remaining — or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.

In front of an expectant crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys, a match that on paper promised so much failed to deliver.

Extra time looked certain before fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the contest in the first minute of injury time.

It meant a sour final World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who looked like he was choking back tears at the end.

Spain Captain Rodri praised the “maturity” of his side.

“If anyone thinks that we will move forward without suffering, they are mistaken,” he said.

“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 City midfielder.

Heaping praise on match-winner Merino, who had only been on the pitch six minutes, Rodri said: “He’s a sensational player… one that I love.”

Spain’s midfielder Mikel Merino (right) scores the only goal in his team’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 win over Portugal, at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Ronaldo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football’s biggest stage.

One of the greatest players of all time has refused to say when he will end his international career, and was ineffective here.

The neighbours came into the contest both unbeaten, but while Portugal had not been entirely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a goal in the tournament.

One of the pre-tournament favourites, they still haven’t.

For all their pedigree, talent and history, Spain have only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal’s best 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 talents at opposite ends of their careers.

In truth neither lived up to expectations on the day.

There was a sombre moment shortly before kick-off when a black-and-white image of the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota flashed up on the giant screen that looms over the field.

Spain should have been ahead with less than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal, but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat he somehow pulled it well wide.

Portugal skipper Ronaldo had his first chance to add to his three goals in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a tight angle.

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain cranked up the pressure, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession, the second a wonderful fingertip save.

Ronaldo — jeered and cheered in equal measure — was a marginal presence in the central attacking role he now occupies in the twilight of his career.

Portugal ended the half on top, and Roberto Martinez’s side were inches from taking the lead when Spain full back Pedro Porro stuck out his head and directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his own crossbar.

The winger Yamal had endured a frustrating time up against Mendes but the Paris Saint-Germain full back was forced off injured after 56 minutes, in a blow to Portugal.

The game needed a spark and Ronaldo, well known to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray.

Martinez made double changes on 71 and 83 minutes, but kept Ronaldo on.

And in a game that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it at the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what went on before.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo: AFP)