Ronaldos World Cup…

ARLINGTON, Texas — A stunning last-minute goal from Mikel Merino secured a 1-0 victory for Spain over Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup on Monday.

The match, closely contested throughout, seemed destined for extra time until two Spanish substitutes linked up for the decisive moment. Ferran Torres assisted Merino, who finished with precision, beating Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Prior to that decisive goal, Spain missed a golden chance when Mikel Oyarzabal failed to convert, and Ronaldo’s powerful attempt was denied by Unai Simón. Costa also made a brilliant save against Álex Baena.

Simón again thwarted Ronaldo before halftime, and a strike from Nuno Mendes rattled the crossbar, setting up a tense second half with limited scoring opportunities until Merino’s goal sealed the game.

With this victory, Spain is set to face either the United States or Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday. — Alex Kirkland

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Ronaldo Misses His Last World Cup Chance

Ronaldo’s World Cup journey nearly concluded in tears four years ago after Portugal’s shocking loss to Morocco. Came back with head coach Roberto Martinez hopeful for a different ending, it was not meant to be.

In what Ronaldo confirmed as his final World Cup appearance, he managed only 19 touches throughout the match: 12 in the first half, a record low for him in any World Cup match, and just seven in the second half, with no touches after the 80th minute.

Ronaldo attempted three shots yet nearly scored following a blocked attempt from João Félix. However, his quick follow-up was easily saved by Simón. Portugal could only muster an expected goals (xG) of 0.58 from 10 attempts, and Martinez chose to leave Ronaldo’s backup, Gonçalo Ramos, on the bench despite Ramos’ impressive late performance in a previous match against Croatia.

Ronaldo appeared to see his era wane in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, scoring only once from the penalty spot in five matches. His presumed successor, Ramos, notably had a hat-trick in a previous match; it seemed to signal a shift in leadership. Nonetheless, the 41-year-old returned to captain the squad, with Martinez praising his leadership until the end. Ronaldo also scored twice in a matchup against Uzbekistan, yet he scored just one penalty against teams that reached the knockout stages.

Despite a strong defensive showing against Spain, Portugal was eliminated. Ronaldo leaves the World Cup with a record that falls short compared to some of soccer’s greatest, including his longstanding rival Lionel Messi, who has achieved more in the global tournament.

Though Martinez’s tenure saw Portugal claim a Nations League title, it will largely be recalled for Ronaldo’s risk and the ill-fated World Cup trajectory. — Bill Connelly

Substitutes Propel Spain to Victory

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente has been consistently validated.

While Spain’s starting lineup is strong, doubts lingered regarding the depth of impactful substitutes. Fitness concerns for many of Spain’s wingers, Torres’ inconsistent performances, and the yet-to-be-utilized third choice Borja Iglesias led to questions about their game-changing abilities.

In the dying moments of the match, however, Torres and Merino proved critics wrong. A substitute, Fabián Ruiz, fed the ball to the remarkable Rodri, who assisted Torres. A perfect controlled touch followed by a precise pass led to Merino, who finished deftly in the bottom corner, sparking jubilation.

“Mikel Merino is reliable,” De la Fuente remarked post-match. “He won us the Euros and is one of the best globally in his role. Fortunately, we have depth with players who could start for any national team.”

The timing of the goal sealed Spain’s advancement, affirming De la Fuente’s belief that the entire squad matters. He emphasized previously that during the Euro, it was often the substitutes that made the crucial difference in significant matches. “This happened again today,” he noted. — Kirkland

Portugal’s Strategy Falls Flat

World Cups often present team matchups we seldom see, but Spain versus Portugal was an exception, given their geographical, cultural, and club affiliations.

For most of the match, neither side could surprise the other. Spain struggled to exploit the wings effectively, even after Mendes left due to injury, while Portugal’s attempts to coordinate play centrally proved fruitless. They collectively blocked five shots and 14 passes, leading to an uninspiring encounter until Merino’s late goal.

It seemed as if the teams were prepared for extra time until Spain executed a quick restart, catching Portugal’s defense off guard for the first time. A fresh approach led to a goal, and after a final defensive stand, Spain advanced.

Against stronger opponents, Portugal faltered in creating consistent scoring opportunities in the tournament. Despite Ronaldo’s declining influence, Martinez continued to rely on him instead of considering Ramos for more game time.

“In a team needing a goal, Ronaldo’s presence is crucial,” Martinez stated, reiterating comments following a draw against Congo DR, which forced them into a challenging round-of-16 matchup against Spain. “He creates space and can change dead-ball situations; removing him seemed impractical.”

However, Ronaldo’s decline is evident. His performance in this World Cup was underwhelming compared to his past statistics; he averaged considerably fewer shots and duels than during his peak tournaments.

Although Ronaldo’s capabilities have diminished at 41, Martinez’s unwillingness to adapt led to a harder match and eventual elimination for Portugal as Spain showcased the innovative tactics that Portugal lacked. — Connelly

Yamal Faces Tough Challenge Against Portugal

Yamal acknowledged recently that Portugal’s Mendes was his most formidable opponent to date. “He’s exceptional,” he noted, acknowledging the left back’s skills.

During the match, Yamal struggled to make an impact, with Mendes effectively containing him. His solitary first-half shot was easily saved, and he only managed to challenge Mendes in the second half without producing any significant contributions.

Yamal’s World Cup experience remains unremarkable compared to that of other rising stars. Despite his early success against Saudi Arabia, his impact has not reached the level expected of a player of his caliber.

With Mendes sidelined, Yamal had a chance against his replacement, Nélson Semedo, yet he still struggled to find his rhythm.

“Lamine thrives in these high-stakes encounters,” remarked Coach De la Fuente. “He enjoys the spotlight and the challenge.”

Unfortunately for Yamal, he didn’t shine against Portugal, embodying Ronaldo’s remark about him as “a player with a promising future.” — Kirkland

Spain’s Stalwart Defense Shines

Spain’s offensive output in the World Cup has been inconsistent; among ten teams with five matches played, they ranked low with only nine goals scored. However, their goal differential is impressive, trailing only France because they have yet to concede a goal.

With Rodri returning to form, Simón delivering exceptional saves, and the defensive line comprising Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, and left back Marc Cucurella combining to win most defensive duels, Spain’s backline has been formidable. Their tactical approach focuses on ball possession, and their defensive capabilities remain unyielding.

During the match against Portugal, Spain faced some threats late in the first half. Simón misjudged a cross, resulting in a critical save against a Joao Felix attempt and another rebound from Ronaldo. However, they continued to assert their defensive might, wrapping up the match with their fifth consecutive clean sheet. — Connelly