Merino's injury time winner and Ronaldo's tears

It was February 2025 when Arsenal was once again fighting for the title. It was 0-0 when Mikel Merino came in as a sub and played out of position but scored a brace for a 2-0 win. The same player came in against Newcastle in September same year and again scored a winner. But tonight, he might have scored his best match-winner in the entire career. Arsenal‘s midfielder came off the bench in the 85th minute and scored the winner in the 91st: Portugal – Spain 0-1.

The Spaniard are among the favorites to win the World Cup and unlike Argentina, who are having an easy schedule almost until the end, Luis de la Fuente‘s men have a hard path to the final. Portugal were among the strongest teams at the tournament with a terriffic midfield and played a good game tonight. If the score was opposite, it would still be justified, but the Portuguese simply didn‘t have Mikel Merino type of player. They had their chances but Unai Simon was again excellent and Spain has not conceded a goal at the World Cup for a record 608 consecutive minutes. Luis de la Fuente's side are yet to concede in any of their five matches so far.

This defeat also means the end of the road for Cristiano Ronaldo. One of the best players to ever play the game was in a World Cup match for the last time in his life. At 41, he is close to a retirement and this was his last chance of winning the World Cup, but Merino stopped him. Ronaldo had his chances, played better than in some other games, but his teammates also missed their opportunities and will go home early. As for Spain, the tough schedule continues. They will face the winner of Belgium – USA match and then the France-Morocco winner.

There was no mocking about as both teams had their chances right from the off. Oyarzabal got into space and had a go from distance after just three minutes. But Socidedad forward missed the biggest chance of the game in the eight minute. Olmo gave him a perfect ball between the defenders and he suddenly found himself all alone and in front of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, but miraculously missed the entire goal. Then it was time for Portugal to take initiative. Pedri made a rare mistake in the middle and gave away a pass. Fernandes was there to pass it to Ronaldo, but Unai Simon was there to stop it.

Chances continued to happen on both sides and the Spaniard missed two in the space of seconds. It was the 16th minute when Yamal finally manage to pass Nuno Mendes and take a shot, but Costa saved it. The rebound fell to Baena who tried the same shot from the other wing, but again Costa did his job. After a 15 minutes of nothing, Portugal again tried to score the first goal. It was 37th minute when Felix‘s shot from the tight angle was saved by Simon, but the rebound fell to Ronaldo, forcing the Spanish keeper to make an acrobatic save. Nuno Mendes totally closed Yamal in the first half and he could even score near the end, but his ferocious shot hit the crossbar in the 41st minute.

The second half was even near exciting as the first one. Portugal initially played better but both teams failed to create a proper chance. Instead, we saw misses and blocked shots. As the game got closer to it‘s natural end, the less chances both teams were willing to take. Spain had the initiative near the end, but the players overplayed it, forcing the passes inside the Portugal penalty area, instead of shooting at the goal. But when Merino and Ruiz came in five minutes from time, it all changed. It was 91st minute when Fabian Ruiz found Torres in space. He turned well on the edge of the box and slipped to Merino, who was experienced enough to finish the action with a winner. Bernardo Silva missed a huge chance for an overtime in the 97th minute from only five meters and will have a hard time sleeping because of that. But he won't be alone. His teammates will find this defeat hard to overcome as they had a legitimate chance for the win, but just failed.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Saturday

Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)

/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/

Sunday

France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)

/Mbappe 70 pen/

Brazil - Norway 1-2 (0-0)

/Neymar 90+10 pen - Haaland 79, 90/

Monday

Mexico - England 2-3 (1-2)

/Quinones 42, Jimenez 69 pen - Bellingham 36,38, Kane 60 pen/

Portugal - Spain 0-1(0-0)

/Merino 90+1/

Tuesday

03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)

19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***