Spain Edged Portugal 1-0 To Reach World Cup Quarterfinals
Rodri MOTM as La Roja keep 5th straight clean sheet and set up Belgium clash
Spain advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after edging Portugal 1-0 in a tight, low-chance encounter.
Chances were rare in the first half. In the 7th minute, Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal missed a clear opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat. Eight minutes later, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa was forced into a double save to deny shots from Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena.
Portugal’s best moment came in the 41st minute. They took a quick corner to Nuno Mendes, but his effort crashed against the upright.
The game remained 0-0 at halftime. In the 72nd minute, Costa was called into action again, parrying a dangerous free kick from Yamal.
Spain finally found the winner through a through ball from Ferran Torres that found Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who slotted home to send Spain through.
Spain will now face Belgium in the next round.
Man of the Match: Rodri
The Spain captain led from midfield with control, composure, and defensive work.
Statistics & Reactions
Spain have kept 5 CLEAN SHEETS in 5 matches at the World Cup.
⚖️ 0-0 draw vs Cape Verde
✅ 4-0 win vs Saudi Arabia
✅ 1-0 win vs Uruguay
✅ 3-0 win vs Austria
✅ 1-0 win vs Portugal
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón (29) has set the RECORD for the most minutes without conceding a goal in the World Cup. 600+ minutes and counting.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in football history to have scored at 6 different World Cups.
Ricardo Quaresma on Portugal’s elimination:
“Everyone was saying this team was the best in Portugal’s history, but in what way? What have they won? We’re going home with our heads down. In midfield, we have great players and lots of talent, but they were very, very weak at this World Cup. The attack was the same, and the defense was lost. The best thing is that I stop here; otherwise I’ll say things I’ll regret later.”
Didier Drogba on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup exit:
“Legends don’t need a trophy to define their greatness. Cristiano inspired millions, broke records, and gave everything every time he wore Portugal’s shirt. Respect.”
Luis de la Fuente, Spain manager:
“It’s been a super match, two super teams. Both teams proved we wanted to win. The important players are the ones that come from the bench.”
Rodri:
“In the next match, we need to be sharper in front of goal so that we can decide matches earlier.”
“I apologize to Bernardo Silva for celebrating his miss in the last minutes… It was my fault.”
Roberto Martinez, Portugal manager:
“This was Portugal’s best match of this World Cup.”
“Lamine Yamal did not cause us any problems.”
Cristiano Ronaldo after being eliminated from the 2026 World Cup:
“I’ve won THREE titles with Portugal.
Before Cristiano, Portugal won NOTHING. The biggest title I won with the National Team was Euro 2016… For me, EURO has the SAME VALUE as a World Cup. Tomorrow will be a new day. Life goes on. I will wake up tomorrow with a CLEAR CONSCIENCE, because I gave my all. Yes, this was my LAST WORLD CUP… I’m sad to be going out of the World Cup like this. But I gave it my all; I did my best. That’s football.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Now I’ll have time to think, spend time with my family, avoid acting on impulse… Life continues. I still don’t know if I’ll RETIRE from the Portuguesenational team right now… We’ll see. I don’t want to decide just yet; I need to discuss it with my family.”