Mikel Merino struck deep into stoppage time to send Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals and bring Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career to a definitive close at the age of 41. The Real Sociedad midfielder kept his composure to roll the ball past Diogo Costa after latching onto a precise through-ball from Ferran Torres, sealing a dramatic last-16 victory over Portugal.
Merino’s celebration echoed family history. He sprinted around the corner flag in Stuttgart, deliberately mirroring the goal celebration his father Ángel Merino produced for Osasuna at the same venue in 1991. At the opposite end of the pitch, Ronaldo stood motionless as the final whistle confirmed his departure from the global stage. The forward leaves as the sole player to have scored in six separate World Cup tournaments, though his final appearance offered a stark illustration of his physical limitations.
Ronaldo’s isolated farewell
The 41-year-old’s performance recalled his exclusion from Portugal’s 6-1 victory over Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup, when replacement Gonçalo Ramos scored a hat-trick. Deployed as a central striker in his farewell appearance, Ronaldo frequently dropped deep in search of possession but lacked the acceleration to trouble Spain’s defence. During one rare Portuguese break late in the second half, he checked back and laid the ball to his right-back after finding himself unable to drive past markers.
Observers noted that none of his teammates approached to console him after the final whistle, underlining his increasingly peripheral influence within the squad. Throughout the match, Ronaldo repeatedly demanded possession from colleagues, who often appeared compelled to feed the striker despite his limited mobility.
Spain’s midfield control
Spain controlled possession through a technically gifted midfield, with Rodri increasingly resembling the commanding figure who dominated the European Championship before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Yet Luis de la Fuente’s side continue to lack the incisive threat they possessed two years ago, when Nico Williams provided width on the left flank. Lamine Yamal struggled to impose himself until Nuno Mendes, who had been excellent for Portugal, was forced off with an injury sustained while blocking a shot from the Barcelona teenager.
The Paris Saint-Germain full-back had earlier struck the crossbar with a deflected effort and had successfully limited Yamal’s influence before his departure. His removal shifted the contest’s momentum, allowing Spain to apply greater pressure that eventually yielded Merino’s decisive contribution.
What comes next
The victory sends Spain to Los Angeles for a quarter-final meeting on Friday with either the United States or Belgium. For Portugal, the defeat concludes a campaign that once again raised questions about Ronaldo’s integration into a talented squad featuring emerging stars, ending an era defined by one of football’s most enduring yet increasingly divisive presences.