Last-gasp Merino breaks Portugal hearts as Spain reach World Cup quarter-finals
The Mt Kenya Times 
By Norman Mwale
“In a derby like this, margins are tiny and concentration is everything.”
Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 on Monday at Dallas Stadium to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring a dramatic 91st-minute winner that brought the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
The Iberian derby was tense, cagey and full of quality, but for 90 minutes neither side could find a way through. Portugal, organised and resilient, frustrated Spain with a disciplined backline led by Rúben Dias and João Cancelo. Spain, the European champions, dominated possession but lacked a final touch until Merino’s intervention.
The breakthrough came six minutes after the Arsenal midfielder was introduced. With the game deep into stoppage time, Spain worked the ball into the box and Merino finished past Diogo Costa to send the sold-out crowd into raptures. It was his first touch that mattered most.
Spain had come close earlier. Mikel Oyarzabal missed a gilt-edged chance in the 8th minute after a slick move from Dani Olmo. Diogo Costa was outstanding, twice denying Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena in quick succession with fingertip saves. At the other end, Unai Simón blocked João Félix’s header and then pushed away Ronaldo’s volley on the rebound.
Portugal’s best moment came when Nuno Mendes’ shot was deflected onto the bar by Pedro Porro. Mendes was later forced off injured in the 56th minute, replaced by Nelson Semedo, and Spain immediately targeted his replacement.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente hailed Yamal’s performance as one of the most important of the 18-year-old’s career. “For me, Lamine has played one of the most important matches of his life,” he said. “When he had the ball, he always created doubt and uncertainty for the opponent. He generated a lot of fear”.
For Portugal, the night ended in heartbreak and change. Manager Roberto Martinez confirmed he was leaving his role after the defeat, saying his contract had ended and “Portugal’s football leadership now had the chance to appoint a new coach”. He added: “I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and saw no point in continuing after failing to achieve that target.”
Ronaldo, 41, played his final World Cup match. He was candid afterwards: “I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup”. He stopped short of confirming his international retirement, saying “I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment”, but praised Martinez as “a great manager, a great human being”.
The statistics told the story of Spanish control. Spain had 55% possession, 15 shots to Portugal’s 11, and 6 shots on target to Portugal’s 2. They also keep a clean sheet for a fifth straight game in the tournament.
Spain now advance to face either the United States or Belgium in the last eight. For Portugal, it is the end of a cycle. For Ronaldo, it is the end of an era.
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