The Iberian derby ended with Spain’s narrow victory (1-0). Cristiano Ronaldo played the last match for Portugal at the World Cup, the Portuguese star leaving the field with tears in his eyes.
This was the third match between the two teams at the football WC. Spain won 1-0 in 2010, in the round of 16, in the race for the world title, and in 2018, in Sochi, the score was equal, 3-3.
The confrontation between the two great rivals was balanced, the winner being decided at the end. Oyarzabal had the first opportunity of the match, the ball shot by him in the 3rd minute, from about 20 meters, being caught by Diogo Costa. Four minutes later, Cancelo sent across the Spanish goal from the corner of the box.
In the 8th minute, Oyarzabal sent another shot past the goal, from about 15 meters, alone with the goalkeeper. Then, in the 12th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo tried Unai Simon with a shot.
Diogo Costa had a double intervention on Yamal and Alex Baena, in the 16th minute. Dani Olmo (min. 31) also entered the list of those who missed opportunities.
On the other side, Joao Felix centered in front of the goal, Ronaldo resumed acrobatically, but Unai Simon received the ball (min. 37).
In the 41st minute, after a shot sent by Nuno Mendes from the penalty area and deflected by Pedro Porro, the ball hit the crossbar of the Spanish goal.
After the break, he played with more caution. Cristiano Ronaldo and Alex Baena tried a shot each, without putting the goalkeepers in great difficulty.
In the 73rd minute, at the free kick executed by Lamine Yamal, Diogo Costa took the ball out from under the bar. Then (min. 76), Bruno Fernandes shot into the side net, at the other goal.
The goal that decided the final result was scored by Mikel Merino, who had entered the field six minutes before. Rodri passed to Ferran Torres, who extended deep to Merino, who finished with a placed shot.
It was the 90th + 1st minute, and the Lusitanians tried unsuccessfully to equalize. The ball shot by Bruno Fernandes went around the opponent’s goal, and the headers sent by Bernardo Silva (min. 90+7) and Joao Neves (min. 90+9) were inaccurate.
Spain prevailed 1-0, and in the quarter-finals they will meet the winner of the USA – Belgium match, which will be played tonight, at 3:00.
This match was also Cristiano Ronaldo’s last at the World Cup. Having reached the age of 41, the Lusitanian star scored 11 goals in 27 matches at the final tournaments.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon reached 609 minutes without conceding a goal
Spain has not lost in regular time in its last 35 matches (26 wins, 9 draws), since the friendly on March 22, 2024, against Colombia (0-1), in London.
At the same time, the Spaniards got their revenge after Portugal prevailed on penalties (5-3), in June 2025, in the Nations League final (it was 2-2 after extra time).
For goalkeeper Unai Simon, who in the match against Austria broke the record of invincibility at the World Football Championship, he took the record to 609 minutes without conceding a goal.
Canada won against South Africa and is the first to qualify for the round of 16
Portugal – Spain 0-1 (0-0)
DALLAS (July 6, 2026) * Stadium: Dallas * Spectators: 70,649 * Referee: Anthony Taylor * Assistant referees: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn (all from England) * Referee no. 4: Felix Zwayer (Germany) * Video Assistant Referee: Robert Kempter (Germany) * Video referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany) * Video assistant referees: Antonio Garcia (Uruguay), Marco Di Bello (Italy)
He scored: Mikel Merino (min. 90+1).
Yellow cards: Bernardo Silva (min. 89), Veiga (min. 90+3).
Portugal: 1. Diogo Costa – 20. Joao Cancelo (5. Diogo Dalot, 71), 3. Ruben Dias, 13. Renato Veiga, 25. Nuno Mendes (2. Nelson Semedo, 56) – 15. Joao Neves, 23. Vitinha (10. Bernardo Silva, 83) – 18. Pedro Neto (26. Francisco Conceicao, 83), 8. Bruno Fernandes, 11. Joao Felix (17. Rafael Leao, 71) – 7. Cristiano Ronaldo (capt.).
Unused reserves: 12. Jose Sa, 22. Rui Silva – 4. Tomas Araujo, 14. Goncalo Inacio, 24. Samu Costa, 6. Matheus Nunes, 21. Ruben Neves, 9. Goncalo Ramos, 16. Francisco Trincao, 19. Goncalo Guedes.
Coach: Robert Martinez.
Spain: 23. Unai Simon – 12. Pedro Porro, 22. Pau Cubarsi, 14. Aymeric Laporte, 24. Marc Cucurella – 16. Rodri (capt.) – 10. Dani Olmo (6. Mikel Merino, 85), 20. Pedri (8. Fabian Ruiz, 85) – 19. Lamine Yamal, 21. Mikel Oyarzabal (26. Borja Iglesias, 90+7), 15. Alejandro Baena (7. Ferran Torres, 75).
Unused reserves: 1. David Raya, 13. Joan Garcia – 2. Marc Pubill, 3. Alejandro Grimaldo, 4. Eric Garcia, 5. Marcos Llorente, 9. Gavi, 18. Martin Zubimendi, 11. Yeremy Pino, 17. Nico Williams, 25. Victor Munoz.
Coach: Luis De la Fuente.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Optimum finals
Canada – Morocco 0-3
Paraguay – France 0-1
Brazil – Norway 1-2
Mexico – England 2-3
Monday, July 6, 2026
Portugal – Spain 0-1
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
3:00 a.m.: Belgium – USA
19.00: Argentina – Egypt
23.00: Switzerland – Colombia
Quarter finals
Thursday, July 9, 2026
23.00: France – Morocco
Friday, July 10, 2026
22.00: Portugal / Spain – USA / Belgium
Sunday, July 12, 2026
0.00 am: Norway – England
4:00 a.m.: Argentina / Egypt – Switzerland / Colombia
