Merino sends Spain past Portugal and into first World Cup quarterfinal since 2010

Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the World Cup round of 16, with Mikel Merino scoring late to put Luis de la Fuente’s side into the quarterfinals for the first time since Spain’s 2010 title run.

The decisive move came after Ferran Torres released Merino into the area, where he finished past Diogo Costa. Portugal threatened in the closing stages, but Spain held on despite late pressure.

The result added to Spain’s defensive story at this tournament: a sixth straight World Cup clean sheet, described in the source as a tournament record. Unai Simón’s shutout run also reached 609 minutes, with the goalkeeper making two first-half saves from Cristiano Ronaldo.

For Portugal, the defeat carries a larger emotional frame because Ronaldo had said before the match that this would be his last World Cup. Spain now wait for Belgium or the United States, with the quarterfinal scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.