Ronaldo's World Cup Career Ends in Loss as Spain Beats Portugal 1-0

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Ronaldo's World Cup career has come to an end after Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup. The winning goal was scored by substitute Mikel Merino in the 91st minute. This was Ronaldo's last game in the World Cup, which he confirmed would be his last appearance on the biggest stage of football.

Ronaldo, 41, was playing in the World Cup for the first time in his career, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football's biggest stage. The European champions will now face the United States or Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday in Los Angeles. Spain has not conceded a goal in the tournament so far, and this win takes them one step closer to winning the World Cup.

The game was played in front of an expectant crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys. But, in a game that promised much, it failed to deliver. Extra time looked certain, but substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the contest in the first minute of injury time.

The neighbours came into the contest both 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. For all 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 showdown was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers. But, in a game that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it at the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what went on before.

The game needed a spark, and Ronaldo, well known to Spain from his time at Real Madrid, threw up his arms when a pass went astray. His side, however, made the most of this error, as Merino scored the winning goal. The winger Yamal had endured a frustrating time up against Mendes, but the Paris Saint-Germain fullback was forced off injured after 56 minutes in a blow to Portugal.