Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to win the FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreaking fashion on Monday night after Spain scored deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory over Portugal and book their place in the tournament final.
With the match seemingly heading for extra time, Mikel Merino struck in the first minute of added time after Portugal switched off defensively, handing Spain a dramatic semifinal victory.
Spain capitalised on a quickly taken free kick after Rodri was fouled about 40 yards from goal. Ferran Torres slipped a pass into Merino’s path, and the midfielder calmly fired a low finish into the bottom-left corner, leaving Portugal with no time to respond.
The defeat brought an end to Ronaldo’s latest bid to win the only major trophy missing from his glittering career.
The contest offered few clear-cut chances for much of the evening as both sides struggled to create meaningful openings.
Portugal threatened in the 37th minute when Pedro Neto’s cross found Joao Felix, who headed back across goal for Ronaldo. The veteran forward improvised brilliantly with an acrobatic effort, but Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon gathered comfortably.
Four minutes later, Portugal came closest to breaking the deadlock when Nuno Mendes curled a powerful effort towards the top corner after a short-corner routine, only for Pedro Porro’s touch to divert the ball onto the crossbar.
Spain responded with patient possession but found it difficult to penetrate Portugal’s disciplined defence.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Bruno Fernandes firing into the side netting from a promising position in the 76th minute after being picked out inside the Spanish penalty area.
Lamine Yamal remained Spain’s brightest attacking outlet, repeatedly driving at the Portuguese defence, although clear opportunities remained scarce.
Portugal suffered a setback when Mendes was forced off injured shortly before the hour mark, with Nelson Semedo replacing the left-back.
As the match drifted towards extra time, both coaches made attacking substitutions in search of a breakthrough.
Portugal introduced Rafael Leao, Francisco Conceicao and Bernardo Silva, while Spain turned to Merino and Fabian Ruiz.
The decisive moment arrived in the first minute of stoppage time when Portugal failed to organise quickly after conceding a free kick.
Rodri restarted play immediately, Torres raced into space before slipping Merino through on goal, and the substitute finished clinically beyond Diogo Costa.
Portugal pushed forward desperately in the closing moments, with Leao delivering crosses into the box, but Spain’s defence held firm to seal a place in the World Cup final.
The result ended Ronaldo’s latest pursuit of football’s biggest prize, while Spain moved one step closer to lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.
