Spain knocks out Portugal in World Cup last 16, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's tournament career and prompting Roberto Martínez to resign

Spain breaks through late

Spain dominated possession and territory for long stretches but found Portugal's deep block hard to crack. The decisive moment arrived in the first minute of stoppage time when Ferran Torres, Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino combined inside the box, Merino firing past Diogo Costa to make it 1-0. Spain held on to record a fifth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament and set up a quarter-final berth.

Ronaldo's muted farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, was a peripheral figure throughout his last World Cup appearance. He managed only two shots on target, rarely threatened in behind, and was often disconnected from Portugal's build-up play. At the final whistle he left the pitch in tears, his dream of a World Cup title unfulfilled after six editions.

Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer the same as before. He is not in his prime, not at his best moment like when he was at Real Madrid six or seven years ago, but you have to keep him away from the box because there he is decisive.

Martínez announces exit

Roberto Martínez confirmed immediately after the match that his tenure as Portugal head coach was over. The Spaniard, who took over in 2022 and won the 2025 Nations League, said he had come to win the World Cup and that without that achievement it made no sense to continue. He praised Ronaldo as an exemplary captain and an icon of the sport.

I arrived in Portugal to win the World Cup. We did not win the World Cup, it makes no sense to continue, and now the president can choose his coach. My contract ends here.

Lamine Yamal's influence

At 18, Lamine Yamal did not score but was Spain's most dangerous creator. His constant dribbling forced Nuno Mendes off injured in the 53rd minute and later drew a yellow card from substitute Nélson Semedo. Yamal repeatedly found teammates with cutbacks and through balls, and his post-match embrace with Ronaldo was widely seen as a symbolic passing of the torch.

Defensive steel

Spain's back line, marshalled by Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and goalkeeper Unai Simón, extended its shutout streak to five matches. Portugal's attack, built around a 41-year-old focal point, lacked the speed and verticality that had made Paris Saint-Germain's midfield duo of Vitinha and João Neves so effective at club level. Gonçalo Ramos, who had rescued Portugal earlier in the tournament, remained on the bench throughout.