Merino sends Spain past Portugal as Martinez steps down
Spain secured a late 1-0 World Cup victory over Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's tournament career and prompting the immediate resignation of Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored in second-half stoppage time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal in their World Cup Round of 16 clash in Dallas. The late goal decided a tight Iberian derby that ultimately signalled the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career and triggered the immediate resignation of Portuguese head coach Roberto Martinez.
The fixture carried significant weight in European public life, pitting two of the continent's footballing heavyweights against each other in front of 70,649 spectators. Despite the high-profile nature of the matchup, the game largely failed to deliver an attacking spectacle, with Spain's immense control and defensive structure dictating the tempo.
Martinez's departure removes a key figure from Portuguese sport just two years after he took charge. Speaking after the defeat, he was definitive about his exit: "I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that, without winning it, there's no point in continuing." He confirmed his contract ended immediately, noting the board and president now have the opportunity to choose a new manager.
The result also closes a monumental chapter for the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo made his 27th World Cup appearance, holding the all-time record for scoring in the most separate editions with six. However, his final tournament ended in visible disappointment, with the veteran managing his side's only shot on target before a brief wave to the crowd.
The tactical setup deployed by Martinez drew sharp criticism from observers who questioned whether the team's campaign was sacrificed to accommodate their ageing talisman. Pundit Chris Sutton summarised the public sentiment on BBC Radio 5 Live, stating: "What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much? Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez."
For Spain, the result extends a historically dominant defensive run. Luis de la Fuente's side became the first team in World Cup history to record six successive clean sheets, having yet to concede a goal at the 2026 tournament. They will now face a resurgent Belgium side in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Spain's return to the last eight marks their deepest run in the competition since winning the tournament in South Africa in 2010. The European champions will now prepare for a Belgium team that found form by thrashing co-hosts USA, setting up a crucial test of Spain's resilience.
