WC26: Mikel Merino Late Goal Beats Portugal, Sends Spain To Quarters

Mikel Merino scored a late winner as Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 Monday in Arlington, Texas, reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years. Spain held a 1.77 to 0.60 edge in expected goals. Merino had just been fouled when play continued. He collected a Ferran Torres through ball, drove into the penalty area and finished past goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Portugal twice threatened to level in the closing stages, but goalkeeper Unai Simon preserved the clean sheet. The result extended Spain's World Cup shutout streak to six straight matches, a tournament record, with Simon's scoreless run reaching 609 minutes. Spain surpassed Italy and Switzerland for consecutive World Cup matches without conceding. Simon made two first-half saves against Portugal, both on Cristiano Ronaldo attempts. Ronaldo confirmed after the final whistle that this was his last World Cup. The all-time international scoring leader was visibly emotional following the defeat. Luis de la Fuente credited his substitute afterward. "Mikel Merino never lets you down. He's a sure thing. He won us the Euros," said de la Fuente. "He's a huge player -- one of the best in the world in his position. We're lucky to have players on the bench who would be starters in any other national team. "All I ask is for people to be fair in their recognition. Mikel Merino is a player with exceptional performance. He's a player who is always where he needs to be." Merino reflected on a difficult personal year. "You remember everything, all the good, all the bad, what you've got back at home," said Merino. "There've been very difficult moments for me this year, but good ones as well. With the injury, all this time that I haven't been able to see my little one grow up. "I use it to get the best of myself." Spain are 75 percent favorites to advance to the semifinals over Belgium, according to the latest World Cup odds .