ARLINGTON: Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner to send Spain into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career on Monday.
The European champions will face the United States – the only remaining co-hosts – or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.
In front of an expectant crowd of 70,649 in the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys, a game that on paper promised so much failed to deliver.
Extra time looked certain before fellow substitute Ferran Torres slotted in Merino to settle the game in the first minute of injury time.
It made for a sour World Cup final match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who looked like he was choking back tears at the end.
Spain captain Rodri praised the “maturity” of his team.
“If anyone thinks we’re going to move on without suffering, they’re wrong,” he said.
“We knew we had to wait for the right moment and it came, even though they also had chances to win the game,” added the Manchester City midfielder.
Rodri heaped praise on match-winner Merino, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, saying: “He’s a sensational player… one that I love.”
Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, confirmed on the eve of the meeting that this would be his last dance on football’s biggest stage.
One of the greatest players of all time has refused to say when he will end his international career and was ineffective here.
The neighbors both entered the match unbeaten, but while Portugal had not been entirely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a goal in the tournament.
One of the pre-tournament favourites, they still haven’t.
Despite their pedigree, talent and history, Spain have only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal’s best was third place in 1966.
In Ronaldo and Spain’s 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, the last 16 clash was heralded as a showcase for two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers.
In reality, none of them lived up to expectations on the day.
There was a somber moment shortly before kick-off when a black-and-white image of the late Portugal striker Diogo Jota flashed up on the giant screen that towers over the pitch.
Ronaldo cheered, jeered
Spain should have been in front with less than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo played in Mikel Oyarzabal, but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he somehow pulled it over.
Portugal captain Ronaldo had his first chance to add to his three goals in North America, flicking the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a tight angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain increased the pressure, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in quick succession, the second a wonderful fingertip save.
Ronaldo – jeered and cheered in equal measure – was a marginal presence in the central attacking role he now occupies in the twilight of his career.
Portugal ended the half on top and Roberto Martinez’s side came inches from taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro stuck his head out and headed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his own crossbar.
Winger Yamal had endured a frustrating time against Mendes, but the Paris Saint-Germain full-back was forced off through injury after 56 minutes in the clash against Portugal.
The game needed a spark and Ronaldo, familiar to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray.
Martinez made double changes after 71 and 83 minutes but kept Ronaldo on.
And in a game that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it at the death with a composed finish that didn’t match much of what came before.
