THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Breaking News: Spain has ended Portugal’s FIFA World Cup dreams in the Round of 16. However, it wasn’t Lamine Yamal but substitute Mikel Merino who scored a late goal. #2026WorldCup #BreakingNews #Football #PORESP

World Cup: Spain knock out Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo Spain have qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Portugal (1-0). Cristiano Ronaldo has played his final World Cup match.

Spain Ends Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Journey in Heartbreaking Knockout Portugal's FIFA World Cup aspirations, and the illustrious career of captain Cristiano Ronaldo on the global stage, concluded with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in a tense Round of 16 encounter. Read more: https...

Spain oust Portugal as Merino ends Ronaldo's World Cup dream Mikel Merino netted in stoppage time to send Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals with a cagey 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday as Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to the World Cup...

Spain win it late to bid farewell to Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup <p>Substitute Mikel Merino scored a 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.</p> <p>The European champions will face the United States – the only one of the co-hosts remaining – or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.</p> <p>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 really deliver.</p> <p>Extra time looked certain, before fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the contest in the first minute of injury time.</p> <p>It meant a sour final World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football’s biggest stage.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>One of the pre-tournament favourites, they still haven’t.</p> <p>For all their pedigree, talent and history, Spain have only lift…

Late Spain goal eliminates Portugal, ends Ronaldo’s international career? Sub Mikel Merino scores in stoppage time to give Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16.

Mikel Merino sends Spain to quarters, ends Cristiano Ronaldo&#8217;s ... ARLINGTON, Texas — Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal, 1-0, on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres. Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles. Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer’s biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals. Daily and weekly updates delivered straight to your inbox. Get news alerts first, right in your browser. Daily and weekly updates delivered straight to your inbox. Support our journalism and get an ad-free experience on all your devices.

Mikel Merino strikes late as Spain edge past Portugal to reach WC quarter-finals Spain edged past Portugal with a crucial one-nil win in a gripping World Cup encounter. Mikel Merino struck the decisive goal in stoppage time, leaving Portugal eliminated and signaling the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup journey. Unai Simon's outstanding performance as goalkeeper kept Spain's net intact, propelling La Roja into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.

Mikel Merino sends Spain to quarters, ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career <p>ARLINGTON, Texas &#8212; Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal, 1-0, on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>

Mikel Merino's late goal sends Spain to quarters, ends Cristiano ... ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal's Bernardo Silva argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and easily beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres. Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010. La Roja will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California. Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer's biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233). Merino didn't enter until the 85th minute, and his heads-up play showed some of the versatility that helped Arsenal win its first Premier League title in more than 20 years this spring. He had been doubtful to make Spain's squad because of injuries that also impacted his Pre…

Merino hits late winner as Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career Spain substitute Mikel Merino broke through a stubborn Portugal defence in the 91st minute to earn his side a 1-0 win on Monday to take the former champions into the quarter-finals and bring the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.The midfielder scored six minutes after coming off the bench in the Iberian Derby at Dallas Stadium to move the European champions into the last eight, prevailing where his teammates had been frustrated by a determined Portuguese backline.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Mikel Merino never lets us down, he’s a safe bet,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “He helped us win the European Championship and is always there when it counts. He’s one of the best players in the world in his position.“Mikel performs exceptionally well and is always exactly where he needs to be.”Spain needed the quick-thinking Merino to unlock a Portugal defense that had frustrated de la Fuente’s side throughout a

Spain beats Portugal 1-0 by a goal from Mikel Merino who was Arsenal's emergency option at striker a year ago... I wish I knew what is going in in Goncalo Ramos' head right now... Portugal have a team that can win the World Cup. But they didn't use all their assets. They'll have to wait till 2030.

Ronaldo's Portugal crash out as substitute Merino sends Spain into ... Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Portugal in Dallas. The Arsenal midfielder, introduced from the bench in the second half, settled a tightly contested Round of 16 encounter in the 91st minute to send the European champions through to the last eight. After a largely uneventful second half with few clear chances, Ferran Torres slipped a precise pass into Merino’s path, and the midfielder calmly slotted a low finish beyond Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The victory sends Spain into the quarter-finals, where they will face either co-hosts the United States or Belgium. Ronaldo bows out after final World Cup Portugal’s defeat also marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career after the veteran forward confirmed before the match that the 2026 tournament would be his last. Read Also: UEFA slam FIFA over “unjustifiable” Balogun suspension reversal Jul 6, 2026 BREAKING: Trump admits requesting FIFA review of Balogun suspension Jul 6, 2026 Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup wil…

Spain beat Portugal to end Ronaldo's WC career - ESPN Mikel Merinoscored a late goal to sendSpainpastPortugalin the round of 16 on Monday and into aFIFA World Cupquarterfinal for the first time since they won it all in 2010. With the game looking like it was headed to extra time in Arlington, Texas, aFerran Torresthrough-ball sprang Merino in the penalty area and he slotted home pastDiogo Costato give Spain the breakthrough goal in the 1-0 win over their neighbors on the Iberian Peninsula. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Costa after taking a pass from Torres. There were some nervy moments down the stretch for Luis de la Fuente's side as Portugal twice came close to levelling the score, but the 2024 European Champions clung to their lead in a game that could be the last forCristiano Ronaldoin a Portugal shirt. "Mikel Merino never lets you down. He's a sure thing. He won us the Euros," Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said after the game. "He's a huge player -- one of the best in the world in his position. We're lucky to have players on the …