Merino's stoppage-time strike sends Spain past Portugal into quarterfinals

Spain knocks out Portugal | 1-0 

Spain work a clever quick free-kick as Fabián Ruiz finds Ferran Torres, whose brilliant pass sends Mikel Merino through on goal. The Arsenal midfielder keeps his composure and fires into the bottom-left corner beyond Diogo Costa to put La Roja 1-0 ahead in stoppage time!

Bernardo Silva goes into the referee's book after catching Diogo Dalot with a late challenge. Portugal's midfielder is shown a yellow card for the foul.

Spain make two late substitutions as Fabián Ruiz replaces Pedri, while Mikel Merino comes on for Dani Olmo in search of fresh energy for the final minutes.

Portugal make two attacking changes as Vitinha replaces Bernardo Silva, while Francisco Conceição comes on for Pedro Neto as Roberto Martínez looks for fresh legs in the closing stages.

Rúben Dias produces a superb defensive block to deny Dani Olmo after a slick Spain move carved open the Portugal defence. The effort is deflected behind for a corner as Portugal survive another dangerous attack.

Spain make their first substitution of the second half as Ferran Torres replaces Álex Baena, adding fresh attacking legs for the final 15 minutes.

Lamine Yamal goes straight for goal from a free-kick on the right side of the box. His curling effort is heading under the crossbar, but Diogo Costa reacts brilliantly to tip it over for a Spain corner.

Portugal make a double substitution as Rafael Leão replaces João Félix, while Diogo Dalot comes on for João Cancelo in a bid to inject fresh energy into the contest.

Portugal 0-0 Spain

Spain finally register another shot on target as Álex Baena spins smartly on the edge of the box and fires a left-footed effort. It lacks power, though, and Diogo Costa gathers comfortably without any trouble.

A sloppy giveaway from Portugal gifts Spain another opportunity. Dani Olmo lays the ball off to Pedri, who strikes first time from the edge of the box. His effort takes a deflection off Renato Veiga and goes behind for a corner.

João Cancelo floats an inviting cross into the penalty area from the left, looking for Ronaldo. The Portugal captain manages to get a touch, but the delivery is just too high, leaving him with little chance from a difficult angle. Spain escape without any real danger.

A major concern for Portugal as Nuno Mendes goes down after stretching to cut out a Lamine Yamal cutback. The left-back receives lengthy treatment but is unable to continue, with Nélson Semedo coming on as his replacement. A significant blow for Portugal.

Portugal have started the second half on the front foot, enjoying more possession and controlling the tempo in search of a breakthrough. Pedro Neto is finding plenty of space down the right flank, but the final ball has lacked the quality needed to trouble Spain.

The action resumes with Portugal and Spain still locked at 0-0. A place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals is up for grabs as both sides search for the breakthrough.

Portugal 0-0 Spain

Portugal 0-0 Spain

What an effort from Nuno Mendes! Portugal work the corner short before the ball falls kindly to the full-back, who unleashes a thunderous strike through a crowded penalty area. The shot takes a deflection off Pedro Porro, crashes against the crossbar, and goes out of play.

Portugal finally threaten again as Pedro Neto swings in a deep cross from the right. João Félix heads it back into the danger area, where Ronaldo stretches to guide an effort towards goal. The shot lacks power, though, and Unai Simón gathers comfortably. 

Spain have enjoyed the better of the first half, controlling 59% possession and registering seven shots, including three on target, compared to Portugal's three attempts. Despite La Roja's dominance, Portugal have stayed defensively resolute, with their goalkeeper making crucial saves to keep the score level heading into the closing stages of the first half.

Spain are back in control, dominating possession and patiently probing for an opening. Portugal, however, remain compact and disciplined at the back, standing firm under sustained pressure.

Pedro Porro bursts down the right, but Nuno Mendes does brilliantly to track back and block the cross behind for a corner. Spain take it short before working the ball to Marc Cucurella, who feeds Pedri. The midfielder clips a delightful cross into Dani Olmo, but his header fails to trouble the goalkeeper. The offside flag is raised moments later.

Portugal 0-0 Spain

Spain have edged the opening 20 minutes, creating the clearer chances, but Portugal's goalkeeper has kept them at bay with a pair of superb saves. Ronaldo has also threatened, though neither side has found the breakthrough.

Spain break at pace with Lamine Yamal surging down the right before cutting inside and curling a powerful effort towards goal. The Portugal goalkeeper produces a fine one-handed save, but the rebound falls kindly to Álex Baena. His follow-up strike is brilliantly stopped as well, with the keeper turning it behind for a corner. Spain are turning up the pressure.

Álex Baena finds space on the left, cuts inside onto his stronger foot, and unleashes a powerful strike from distance. However, the effort flies well over the crossbar, posing no threat to Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo goes down inside the box following a corner, but the referee waves away Portugal's penalty appeals. Moments later, Ronaldo gets a sight of goal, but his powerful effort is well saved by the Spanish goalkeeper, who pushes it behind for another corner.

What a miss from Oyarzabal! Spain carve Portugal open with a superb passing move, and Oyarzabal races in behind the defence onto a perfectly weighted through ball. Believing he was offside, he only manages a tame effort that rolls wide. The flag stays down, and Portugal breathe a huge sigh of relief after a costly missed opportunity.

João Cancelo lets fly from the edge of the box, but his effort sails comfortably over the crossbar. No danger for Spain.

Spain are beginning to settle into their rhythm, enjoying more possession and moving the ball confidently. Portugal, however, continue to press aggressively, making it difficult for La Roja to build attacks comfortably.

Spain register the first shot on target despite Portugal's bright start. Portugal began on the front foot, but Spain struck first after winning possession in midfield. Mikel Oyarzabal found space centrally and unleashed a shot from distance, though the effort was comfortably gathered by the Portugal goalkeeper.

The match is underway as Portugal and Spain battle for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals

Spain are once again favourites ahead of kick-off, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 48.6% win probability to Portugal’s 25.6%. Who are you backing to reach the quarter-finals?

Portugal finished second in Group K with five points after beating Uzbekistan and drawing with DR Congo and Colombia. They then came from behind to edge Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic Round of 32 clash. Spain topped Group H with seven points, defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay before drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde. They cruised past Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 and are unbeaten in their last 34 matches (25 wins, 9 draws).

The Portugal vs Spain Round of 16 match will start at 12:30 am IST. Zee5 will provide live streaming of the match in India. Unite8 Sports will offer TV broadcast.

Portugal XI: Diogo Costa (goalkeeper); Joao Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha; Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix; Cristiano Ronaldo (captain).

Spain XI: Unai Simon (goalkeeper); Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro; Rodri, Pedri; Alex Baena, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal; Mikel Oyarzabal.