🎥 Spain eliminates Portugal and advances to the quarterfinals of the World Cup

In yet another exciting chapter of the 2026 World Cup, Spain achieved a dramatic victory over Portugal, eliminating the Portuguese team in the round of 16 stage. The game, held this Monday (6) at AT&T Stadium, in Dallas, was marked by a lot of tension and missed opportunities, but a goal from Mikel Merino in the final minutes guaranteed La Roja's qualification for the quarterfinals. From the opening whistle, both teams showed determination to control the match. Portugal started with a little more possession, but Spain quickly established themselves as the most dangerous team on the field. The first big moment of the game came from the feet of Mikel Oyarzábal, who had a clear chance, but was unable to finish with precision in front of goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The first half was balanced, with both teams creating chances, but unable to find the net. Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón had to make important saves, especially against attacks from João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo, who came close to opening the scoring. Luck was also on Spain's side, as Nuno Mendes' shot hit the post.  In the second half, the game seemed stuck, with coaches looking for changes to breathe new life into their teams. It was then that, in the 90th minute, Mikel Merino, after a quick touch with Ferran Torres, found space in the Portuguese defense and finished with precision, putting Spain ahead on the scoreboard. With the advantage, Spain defended well in the final minutes, while Portugal tried to reverse the situation. The Portuguese's last chance came only in the 96th minute, when Bernardo Silva headed wide, without being able to pose a threat to Simón's goal, who was solid throughout the match. With the victory, Spain advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the duel between the United States and Belgium, scheduled to start at 9 pm (Brasília time) this Monday. Luis de la Fuente's team continues its undefeated trajectory in the tournament, extending its run of 35 games without defeat, with the last defeat in normal time in March 2024 against Colombia. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Ronaldo vs Yamal sa Portugal–Espanya; United States target ang](https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/ronaldo-vs-yamal-sa-portugal-espanya-estados-unidos-target-ang-kasaysayan-vs-bel) 2. [Belgium ‘astonished’ by FIFA’s decision to wipe Folarin Balogun’s](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/belgium-astonished-by-fifa-s-decision-to-wipe-folarin-balogun-s-world-cup-ban)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter now?

This Spain update affects fans, teams, and the wider season picture — read above for the full breakdown.

What happens next?

Stay tuned for official updates and follow our coverage for the latest developments.