Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 victory over Portugal in a thrilling round of 16 clash.The match, held at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, was decided by a stoppage-time goal from Mikel Merino, who scored in the first minute of added time.

Ferran Torres provided the crucial assist after coming on as a substitute, securing a memorable win for Spain and ending Portugal’s World Cup campaign.Both teams created chances throughout the game, but neither could find the breakthrough for 90 minutes.Spain’s attack was led by Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Alex Baena, while Portugal relied on Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Pedro Neto.Ronaldo had several opportunities to equalize but was thwarted by Spanish goalkeeper and offside flags.Spain’s persistence paid off in the closing stages, with Merino’s timely run and Torres’ pass sealing the win.Portugal threw everything forward in stoppage time, with João Neves and Bernardo Silva missing key chances.The match ended with Spain advancing to the quarter-finals, where they will face either France or Morocco.The result marks a significant moment in the tournament, highlighting Spain’s resilience and Portugal’s struggles.