Spain beat Portugal as Ronaldo’s World Cup career comes to end

Mikel Merino scored a dramatic 91st-minute winner as Spain beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup round of 16.

A tight, nervous match looked to be heading for extra time until two Spain substitutes combined for the game’s only goal. Ferran Torres played in Merino, who finished low past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Earlier, Mikel Oyarzabal had missed a glorious opportunity to put Spain ahead, before Ronaldo — who said before the match that this would be his last World Cup — saw an effort palmed away by Unai Simón, and Costa denied Álex Baena with a fingertip stop.

Simón denied Ronaldo again before halftime, and Nuno Mendes’ deflected effort hit the crossbar, before a cagey second half with few clear chances was decided by Merino’s cool finish.

Spain will now play either the United States or Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday.