Cristiano Ronaldo himself confirmed that the World Cup 2026 is his last, which is why he was emotional after Portugal’s heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday. In what was an all-out battle between two European powerhouses, all it took was one goal to decide the match. And it was Spain’s super sub, Mikel Merino, who came up clutch for La Roja in Dallas, Texas.
Elsewhere in Seattle, Washington, the USA’s World Cup dream also ended, following a humiliating 4-1 loss to Belgium. The Red Devils exploited the Stars and Stripes’ lacklustre defence, despite being labeled only the slight favourites in the pre-game World Cup 2026 odds on SBOTOP’s match preview.
As a result, Spain and Belgium will clash in the quarter-finals this weekend, joining France, Morocco, Norway, and England, while we’re still waiting for the World Cup 2026 results between Switzerland, Colombia, Argentina, and Egypt.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
Spain were off to a brisk start, as the reigning European champions were determined to eliminate Portugal. La Roja came close to taking an early lead when Mikel Oyarzabal – who scored a brace against Austria – tested goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the third and eighth minutes. In between those chances was Joao Cancelo’s volley during the seventh minute, which sailed over Spain’s crossbar. Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena also had their chances, but they were unable to find a way past Costa.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first shot of the match was in the 12th minute, but goalkeeper Unai Simon parried his attempt. The 41-year-old tried to dink the ball into the back of the net after Joao Felix’s effort in the 37th minute, but to no avail. A few minutes later, Nuno Mendes’ stinging drive following a short corner deflected off the head of Pedro Porro and hit the crossbar.
Portugal were dealt a major blow when Mendes, who had done well against Yamal in the first half, left the pitch in the 56th minute due to an injury. With Mendes on the sidelines, Yamal exploited his replacement, Nelson Semedo, leading to Baena forcing a save out of Costa in the 65th minute.
Yamal then saw a free-kick saved over the crossbar before Bruno Fernandes hit the side-netting, as the match appeared to be heading to extra time, but Spain’s late gambit worked. Mikel Merino replaced Dani Olmo during the 85th minute, and the Arsenal midfielder put La Roja ahead for good in stoppage time after a brilliant link-up with fellow substitute Ferran Torres, dumping the Selecao out of the competition.
Merino’s introduction was somewhat of a surprise given Olmo’s solid outing, and his late goal is only Spain’s second stoppage-time winner at the World Cup after Joaquin Peiro against Mexico in 1962.
As for Ronaldo, he leaves a legacy behind in the finals. The Al-Nassr striker is the second player to start 25 World Cup games after Lionel Messi (27).
USA 1-4 Belgium
The USA are clearly disappointed that they weren’t able to maximise the return of Folarin Balogun, whose red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was controversially rescinded by FIFA (through President Donald Trump’s intervention). The Stars and Stripes have mostly dominated their lower-tier opponents in this year’s finals, but this time, they were on the receiving end against the Red Devils.
Belgium started well, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans seeing their shots blocked before Timothy Castagne forced a superb save from goalkeeper Matt Freese inside the opening minute. Charles De Ketelaere eventually put Rudi Garcia’s side ahead in the ninth minute, tapping in from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s low cross.
The Red Devils saw some of their momentum dissipate when Amadou Onana sustained a knee injury, and the USA capitalised just after the half-hour mark as Malik Tillman’s free-kick beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. But the tournament’s co-hosts were behind again two minutes later when De Ketelaere jumped over Tim Ream to head in Trossard’s cross.
De Ketelaere became the first Belgian on record to have three goal involvements in a single World Cup match (two goals, one assist). Three of his eight goals for the Red Devils have been against the USA.
Freese gifted Belgium their third goal when he was caught in no man’s land trying to control the ball, and Hans Vanaken launched from distance to an empty net in the 57th minute. Sebastian Berhalter and Folarin Balogun squandered the Stars and Stripes’ best chances late on.
Romelu Lukaku put the final nail in the coffin in stoppage time. The Napoli striker scored a clinical finish after stealing the ball from Chris Richards at the back.
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