{"id":536858,"date":"2026-07-07T04:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/536858\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T04:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:24:21","slug":"rooney-had-big-prediction-on-what-ronaldo-exit-would-do-for-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/536858\/","title":{"rendered":"Rooney Had Big Prediction On What Ronaldo Exit Would Do For Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spain have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup<\/a>, overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in dramatic circumstances in Dallas this evening.<\/p>\n

Both teams had opportunities to take the lead in the opening half, with Spain creating the better of the chances. Mikel Oyarzabal missed the best of them, sliding the ball wide after getting in behind the Portuguese defence.<\/p>\n

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Mikel Oyarzabal with a huge early chance for Spain as he is cleverly played through by Dani Olmo but the Basque frontman’s effort goes wide<\/p>\n

Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup<\/a> on RT\u00c9 pic.twitter.com\/tsyC7qkm4l<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Portugal also came close to taking the lead before the interval.<\/p>\n

Nuno Mendes deflected effort would only hit the crossbar, much to the relief of the Spain players.<\/p>\n

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Spain slow to react to a quick corner from Portugal and Nuno Mendes’ deflected strike smacks the crossbar<\/p>\n

Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup<\/a> on RT\u00c9 pic.twitter.com\/nkdmWFYHQI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The second half was a much quieter affair. Portugal were seemingly content to sit back and contain their opponents, and while Spain dominated possession, they failed to create many scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n

However, there was a late twist in the tale.<\/p>\n

Spain eliminate Portugal & Cristiano Ronaldo<\/p>\n

\n Recommended\n <\/p>\n

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Substitute Mikel Merino would pop up with a dramatic late winner for Spain, booking their place in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

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Spain carve Portugal open as Ferran Torres smartly plays through Mikel Merino who finishes confidently to give Spain a late lead here in Dallas <\/p>\n

Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup<\/a> on RT\u00c9 pic.twitter.com\/cDgPOHCEPp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This was a huge victory for Spain, who have shown a canny ability to win games while not performing at their best during this tournament.<\/p>\n

It is a much more sombre occasion for Portugal, who have exited the World Cup and likely saw their greatest ever player feature for the final time on that stage.<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo exit could be blessing for Portugal<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to make much of an impact in this game, looking like a passenger up front for much of the contest. A couple of goals against Uzbekistan aside, that has largely been the story of his tournament.<\/p>\n

At 41-years old, it seems unlikely that we will see him feature in a major tournament again.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the BBC, Wayne Rooney summed up why Ronaldo’s absence will probably end up benefitting Portugal.<\/p>\n

He is a superstar, what he’s given to football is something very rare and something you won’t see very often.<\/p>\n

He will be very disappointed. He would have been going into this World Cup with Portugal to win it. Unfortunately time gets us all.<\/p>\n

I wouldn’t put it past him to play again for Portugal because he’s got that mentality…<\/p>\n

I think Portugal played okay today, they contained Spain. They were lacking a bit of energy and movement up front.<\/p>\n

For Portugal now, it’s a chance for them to blossom beyond the Ronaldo era. They’ve got some good young players, some good senior players. For them it’s a new start…<\/p>\n

Some players might have felt in the shadow of Cristiano, which is normal for what he’s done in the game. For some of them players, it’s their time to go and be the main man for Portugal because Cristiano has been there for so long.<\/p>\n

It’s an opportunity for some of the more senior players to take that responsibility and young players to come through.<\/p>\n

As disappointed as they will be to go out of the competition, I think this is the start of a new era for them.<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo will be 43-years old by the time Euro 2028 rolls around. While he is an incredible physical specimen, his form at the World Cup suggests that tournament should be well beyond him.<\/p>\n

For Portugal as a whole, they would likely benefit from leaving the Ronaldo sideshow behind them.<\/p>\n