Spain and Portugal staged an Iberian derby at the 2026 World Cup on Monday, where a spot in the quarterfinal was claimed late by Mikel Merino, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams of a tournament triumph.
WATCH — Portugal v Spain, en Espanol
Below are live updates from Portugal vs Spain, including team news and video highlights.
Portugal vs Spain final score: 0-1
Mikel Merino 90+1'
The ex-Newcastle man has put Portugal ahead in the first minute of stoppage time.
A quick restart off a foul in the Portugal half sees Rodri find Ferran Torres, who slips Merino behind the back line.
Merino slides it beyond the reach of Diogo Costa.
Ronaldo may have just a half-dozen minutes remaining in his World Cup career.
Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino head into the game for Dani Olmo and Pedri in the 85th.
The 83rd minute sees Francisco Conceicao and Bernardo Silva entering the fray for Vitinha and Pedro Neto.
Spain makes its first sub four minutes after Portugal make a pair of changes.
Ferran Torres replaces Alex Baena out wide in what will be a more direct attacking position from the 75th minute.
Portugal had taken off a strong Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo in favor of Rafael Leao and Diogo Dalot.
It looks like a leg injury for Nuno Mendes, who had been doing a decent job against Lamine Yamal.
Instead, it’ll be Nelson Semedo tasked with slowing the Spanish star from the 56th minute onward.
It’s difficult not to label Spain the favorites after that half even though Nuno Mendes saw a deflected shot hit the bar during a decent spell of 5-8 minutes.
Diogo Costa has three saves and Unai Simon a nice double save to keep the zeroes on the scoreboard after 45 minutes of this Round of 16 tie.
Bruno Fernandes sends in a huge cross that Joao Felix heads toward goal.
Unai Simon slaps it away from goal but it floats in the air and Ronaldo stabs at it with the outside of his foot.
The ball is likely headed for a goal line clearance but Simon sails back to the inside of the six and catches the ball.
Already five shot attempts for Spain, adding up to 0.80 xG,
Rodri is the one pulling the strings for the white-clad Spanish.
Mikel Oyarzabal should have Spain up, but he missed a high-danger chance in a tough-to-swallow way.
0-0, 25' at the hydration break.
¿¿¿QUÉ HIZO OYARZABAL??? 😓
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 6, 2026
¡Enorme falla de Mikel! Pudo ser el primer gol de España ‼️
📺 Sigue toda la cobertura de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 por Telemundo y Peacock #MundialTelemundo #FIFAWorldCup #Somos26 #PortugalVsEspaña pic.twitter.com/wenh37QwF7
Starting XI: Simon, Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsi, Porro, Rodri, Pedri, Baena, Olmo, Yamal, Oyarzabal.
Ferran Torres, and Inaki Williams will wait for their chances to affect the game.
Starting XI: Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes, Vitinha, Neves, Fernandes, Felix, Neto, Ronaldo.
Some surprises here, as Rafael Leao starts on the bench and Round of 16 hero Goncalo Ramos is not in the XI.
These rivals have met more than 40 times over the past 125 years (or so), the first meeting Spain’s 3-1 win in Madrid in December 1921.
Portugal won the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final in Munich, claiming the crown after penalties.
They last met in the World Cup eight years ago in Sochi, where a Ronaldo hat trick ensured a group stage draw.
A David Villa goal at the 2010 World Cup sent Spain through to the semis in the duo’s other World Cup meeting.
Kick off time: 4pm ET Monday (July 6)
Venue: Dallas Stadium — Arlington, Texas
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
