Spain advanced to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in a Round of 16 clash that saw Mikel Merino net a 91st-minute winner. The late goal not only secured Spain’s progression but also marked a likely tearful end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career and prompted the immediate resignation of Portugal coach Roberto Martinez. Amidst the high-stakes drama, an on-pitch altercation between former Manchester City teammates Rodri and Bernardo Silva added a fiery subplot, leading to a post-match apology from the Spanish midfielder.

Merino’s dramatic winner and a heated exchange

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Mikel Merino broke the deadlock, securing Spain’s passage to the next round. The match itself, despite the immense stakes, had been described as “dull as dishwater” for much of the ninety minutes, lacking the spark expected from two footballing giants.

Moments before Merino’s goal, tensions flared between Rodri and Bernardo Silva. After Silva, who recently signed with Real Madrid, missed a crucial header that could have leveled the score, Rodri was seen celebrating his former club teammate’s miss directly in front of him. This led to a heated verbal exchange, with Silva angrily wagging his finger at the Spanish player. Speaking to the press after the game, Rodri expressed regret for his actions.

“I apologise to Bernardo Silva for celebrating his miss in the last minutes… It was my fault,” Rodri stated, reported by GiveMeSport, acknowledging the incident. The two players shared a successful history at Manchester City, winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League together, making the on-pitch confrontation all the more striking.

Read also: Bayern ease concerns after Musiala undergoes planned surgery

Ronaldo’s tearful farewell and a new era for Portugal

For Portugal, the late defeat brought an emotional conclusion to their World Cup campaign. At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo exited the pitch in tears, in what is widely expected to be his final appearance at football’s showpiece event. His departure was swiftly followed by coach Roberto Martinez’s resignation, ushering in a period of significant change for the Portuguese national team.

Pundit and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney reflected on the implications of Ronaldo’s exit, telling BBC Sport: “This is the start of a new era when you lose a player like Ronaldo. Maybe a few players have felt [they were] in the shadow of him – which is normal because of what he has done in the game. For other players, it’s time to go and be the main man for Portugal. It’s a new opportunity for senior players to take responsibility and for younger players to come through.”

Spain will now prepare to face the winner of the match between the United States and Belgium in the quarter-finals, as their quest for World Cup glory continues.

Read also: Tour de France stage 4 favorites named as expert predicts breakaway masterclass

Read also: Trump admits: "He gave him a red card, I didn’t know what that meant"