Overview
- Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday when substitute Mikel Merino scored in second-half stoppage time to book a quarter‑final spot and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance.
- Spain have not conceded at this World Cup and extended a run that now counts six successive clean sheets, a defensive streak that has shaped their path through the knockouts.
- Belgium thrashed the United States 4-1 in Seattle, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku adding a late goal to eliminate the hosts from the tournament.
- FIFA suspended the automatic one‑match ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun so he could play against Belgium, a move that several federations criticized and that reports say drew a call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino from President Trump; those reports are based on anonymous sources.
- Portugal coach Roberto Martínez confirmed he will leave his post after the defeat, Spain will face Belgium in the quarter‑final on Friday, and Cape Verde’s debut performance — powered by goalkeeper Vozinha — has highlighted the wider impact of the expanded 48‑team format.