By 
Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to lift the FIFA World Cup came to a heartbreaking end on Monday after Spain snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in stoppage time to book their place in the quarter-finals.
In a tightly contested round-of-16 clash that produced few clear-cut chances, substitute Mikel Merino emerged as Spain’s hero, timing his run perfectly between Portugal’s central defenders before firing a low finish past the goalkeeper deep into added time.
The defeat, according to the New York Times, marks the end of Ronaldo’s final World Cup campaign.
The 41-year-old had confirmed before the tournament that the 2026 edition would be his last, leaving uncertainty over whether the Portuguese legend will now retire from international football.
Read more: Belgium crush USA 4-1 to end hosts’ World Cup dream
Portugal’s disappointing exit was followed by the announcement that head coach Roberto Martinez will step down after three-and-a-half years in charge.
While Portugal once again fell short on the global stage, Spain continued their impressive run.
The reigning European champions advanced to the last eight, where they will face the winners of the round-of-16 encounter between the United States and Belgium.
Portugal’s latest World Cup disappointment extends a frustrating trend for a nation that, despite winning the 2016 European Championship, has struggled to make a significant impact at football’s biggest tournament.
Martinez’s departure adds another chapter to a prolonged search for answers, with successive coaches unable to translate the country’s wealth of talent into sustained World Cup success.
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