ARLINGTON: Substitute Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late goal to put Spain into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career on Monday.
The European champions will face either the United States, the only remaining co-host, 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 promised so much on paper fell short.
Extra time seemed certain, before fellow substitute Ferran Torres brought in Merino to settle the game in the first minute of injury time.
It meant a bitter final World Cup match for Ronaldo, 41, who appeared to be holding back tears at the end.
Spain captain Rodri praised his team’s “maturity.”
“If anyone thinks that we will advance without suffering, they are wrong,” he said.
“We knew we had to wait for the right moment and it came, although they also had a chance to win the game,” added the Manchester City midfielder.
Praising Merino, who had given the match victory and who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, Rodri said: “He is a sensational player… one that I love.”
Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, confirmed on the eve of the match that this would be his last dance on football’s biggest stage.
One of the greatest players of all time refused to say when his international career will end and was ineffective here.
The neighbors came into the match undefeated, but while Portugal had not been completely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a goal in the tournament.
One of the favorites before the tournament, he still hasn’t done it.
For all its pedigree, talent and history, Spain has only lifted the World Cup once, in 2010, while Portugal’s best result was third place in 1966.
In Ronaldo and Barcelona’s 18-year-old Spanish prodigy, Lamine Yamal, the round of 16 showdown was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers.
The truth is that neither of them lived up to expectations that day.
There was a somber moment shortly before kick-off when a black and white image of the late Portuguese striker Diogo Jota appeared on the giant screen looming over the pitch.
Ronaldo cheered, booed
Spain should have been ahead in less than 10 minutes when Dani Olmo played Mikel Oyarzabal, but with only goalkeeper Diogo Costa to match, he somehow managed to tip the ball away.
Portugal captain Ronaldo had his first chance to score another three goals in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simón from a tight angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain increased the pressure, Yamal and Alex Baena tested Costa twice in a row, the second time with a wonderful save.
Ronaldo, booed and applauded in equal measure, was a marginal presence in the central attacking role he now occupies in the twilight of his career.
Portugal finished the half on top and Roberto Martínez’s team came within inches of taking the lead when Spanish full-back Pedro Porro poked his head in and directed Nuno Mendes’ shot onto his own crossbar.
Winger Yamal had had a frustrating time against Mendes, but the Paris Saint-Germain full-back had to go off injured in the 56th minute in a knock against Portugal.
The match needed spark and Ronaldo, well known in Spain from his time at Real Madrid, raised his arms when a pass went over his head.
Martínez made a double substitution in the 71st and 83rd minutes, but kept Ronaldo.
And in a game that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino won it to the death with a composed finish that was out of keeping with much of what came before.
