Portugal vs Spain

Spain broke Iberian hearts in Dallas with a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The winner arrived deep into stoppage time, when substitute Mikel Merino coolly converted a cut-back from fellow sub Ferran Torres in the 91st minute to send La Roja marching on. It had been a nervy, attritional affair. Nuno Mendes rattled the crossbar for Portugal early on, and goalkeeper Unai Simón pulled off key saves to deny João Félix and a Cristiano Ronaldo follow-up. Mendes later hobbled off with an injury, dealt further blows to Portugal's hopes, though Diogo Costa kept his side alive with five stops of his own. At 41 and now six World Cups deep, Ronaldo is almost certainly done on the international stage — the greatest stage couldn't deliver one final fairytale. Spain, dominant in the stats with 1.77 expected goals to Portugal's 0.56, advance to the quarterfinals where they'll face the winner of USA vs. Belgium.