Merino's Late Strike Sends Spain Past Portugal and Into the Quarter-Finals
Mikel Merino came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner as Spain beat Portugal 1-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle in a tight Iberian derby that opens up a quarter-final against Belgium.
S pain defeated Portugal 1-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle on 6 July, advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup on a single goal from substitute Mikel Merino in front of 70,649 spectators.
The match produced few clear opportunities through the first 85 minutes. Spain brought on Mikel Merino and Fabian Ruiz at the 85th minute, and Merino converted in the 90th minute to settle the tie. Portugal had both Bernardo Silva and Renato Veiga cautioned in stoppage time, while Ferran Torres was booked for Spain.
Spain advance to the quarter-finals and will face Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on 10 July.