Overview
- Spain beat Portugal 1-0 after Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute to eliminate Portugal and advance to the quarter-finals.
- The goal came when substitute Ferran Torres slipped a through pass to Merino, underlining the decisive impact of late bench changes in the match.
- Cristiano Ronaldo had told reporters this would be his final World Cup and was visibly emotional after the defeat; he finishes the tournament with three goals and as the only player to score at six different World Cups.
- Spain extended their exceptional defensive form, recording a sixth consecutive World Cup clean sheet and seeing goalkeeper Unai Simón lengthen his shutout minutes streak.
- Spain will meet the winner of the United States–Belgium game in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles, and Portugal coach Roberto Martínez confirmed he will leave his post after the loss.