Mikel Merino scored a late goal to send Spain past Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday and into a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since they won it all in 2010.
With the game looking like it was headed to extra time Arlington, Texas, a Ferran Torres through-ball sprang Merino in the penalty area and he slotted home past Diogo Costa to give Spain the breakthrough goal in the 1-0 win over their neighbors on the Iberian Peninsula.
There were some nervy moments down the stretch for Luis de la Fuente’s side as Portugal twice came close to levelling the score, but Spain clung to their lead in a game that could be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo in a Portugal shirt.
Spain now await the winner of Monday’s game between Belgium and the United States to see who they will face in the quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
