Spain vs Portugal World Cup Match Result: Mikel Merino strikes late As Spain overcome Portugal and Ronaldo to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Spain’s Mikel Merino shoots the opening goal as Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa (1) tries to stop him during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain. (AP photo) A moment of sheer tactical brilliance in the closing moments of the match saw Spain break Portuguese hearts and book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Substitute Mikel Merino’s stoppage time clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Iberian rivals Portugal at AT&T Stadium on Monday and brought the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s storied World Cup career.In a fierce encounter that looked like extra time, the decisive moment came in the 91st minute. Arsenal midfielder Merino, who has just been sent off, showed elite poise. As the Portuguese defense stood still and argued for the referee’s whistle, Merino quickly resumed play. He threaded the ball out, raced into the box and calmly slotted a clinical back pass from Ferran Torres past a helpless Diogo Costa.It was a masterful move from Luis de la Fuente who only introduced Merino in the 85th minute. The midfielder, who endured an injury-plagued season but still helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title in more than two decades, has emerged as Spain’s main wild card.The victory is a historic milestone for La Roja, who advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since their triumphant campaign in South Africa in 2010. The victory was anchored by an impenetrable defence; goalkeeper Unai Simón extended his all-time World Cup record to 609 minutes without conceding, anchoring Spain as the first team to record six consecutive clean sheets in tournament history.It was a bitter and tearful farewell for Portugal and 41-year-old Ronaldo. The international icon, who bowed with a staggering 146 goals and 233 appearances, was hungry all evening for a disciplined Spanish side.Eight years after Ronaldo’s iconic hat-trick lit up a thrilling 3-3 draw between these sides in Russia, the 105-year-old rivalry was settled by defensive commitment and quick thinking. Spain now travel to Inglewood, California to face either the USA or Belgium on Saturday.