Spain beat Portugal to reach the quarter-finals
In the central match held as part of the quarterfinals of the World Championship, the Spanish national team defeated Portugal by a minimal score of 1:0, thus continuing their participation in the tournament. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The outcome of the match was determined by a single goal scored by Mikel Merino, who came on as a substitute. This victory not only sent Spain to the next round but may also have marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance at a World Championship.
This is reported by Goal.com. The game began cautiously, as expected.
The Spanish national team sought to take control from the opening minutes. Although Mikel Oyarzabal had a good chance to open the scoring, his shot went wide of the post.
Additionally, young talent Lamin Yamal drove into the center in his distinctive style and fired a shot, but Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa displayed skill to neutralize the threat. The Portuguese national team, through disciplined defending, managed to frustrate Spain’s attacking efforts.
Moreover, Lamin Yamal was tightly marked by the opposing defenders, which negatively affected Spain’s creativity. In turn, Spain’s defenders did not leave much space for the attacking line led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to analysis, Ronaldo struggled to find space throughout the match and was unable to showcase his best qualities. The second half of the game passed with few notable moments.
Although Spain had a significant advantage in ball possession, they struggled to break down Portugal’s compact defense. In an attempt to change the game, Luis de la Fuente introduced players such as Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino in the 55th minute.
The coach’s decision proved decisive, bringing the desired result to the team. In the 91st minute, Mikel Merino struck a precise shot on goal following a pass from Ferran Torres.
Diogo Costa was left helpless as Spain secured a dramatic victory. Merino has been turning into a genuine savior for the national team in recent times.
His ability to score in crucial moments has become one of Spain’s key assets. This defeat means the end of the road for Portugal in the tournament.
For the 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, this match could very well be his last World Championship appearance. His participation in major tournaments may now be limited to the European Championships, while the dream of winning the global trophy remains unfulfilled.
For Spain, this match may not have been the most aesthetically pleasing, but the result is of immense importance. The team demonstrated defensive stability and the ability to capitalize on key moments.
Now they await their opponent in the quarterfinals.
