Spain midfielder Mikel Merino (6) scores the game-winning goal past Portugal goalkeeper Diego Costa (1) during the second half of a World Cup round of 16 soccer match, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Arlington. Spain defeated Portugal 1-0.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Spain has survived a matchup of World Cup heavyweights at Dallas Stadium.
In an even Round of 16 bout Monday, Mikel Merino stepped up to propel Spain past Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal squad. Merino came on as a substitute in the 85th minute for Dani Olmo. The decision ultimately benefited Spain.
Soccer fans look over Dallas Stadium before a World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Spain and Portugal, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Arlington.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Thanks to Merino’s late goal, Spain secured a 1-0 victory and moves on to the World Cup’s quarterfinals. Now, the Spanish will meet up with the winner of Monday night’s U.S.-Belgium matchup.
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Follow along below for coverage, photos and more from Spain-Portugal at Dallas Stadium:
Mikel Merino’s late goal was all Spain needed to outlast Portugal. The Portuguese squad created a few opportunities as stoppage time ran out, but Spain’s defense came up with quick responses. Spain moves on to the World Cup quarterfinals, where it will face the U.S.-Belgium winner on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium.
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Just as the match hit the 90th minute, Spain gets on the board thanks to Mikel Merino. The midfielder made the most of a through pass from Ferran Torres, finishing off a one-on-one opportunity with a clean, left-footed strike. Spain jumps ahead 1-0 with six minutes of stoppage time added.
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Players and coaches have convened for the second hydration break. As the break concluded, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez made some substitutions. Rafael Leao and Diogo Dalot came on for Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo. We’re still scoreless heading into the 73rd minute.
The ball is rolling again in North Texas. Both Portugal and Spain have been defensively sound throughout the matchup. Will one of the star players find a way to break the tie?
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It’s halftime at Dallas Stadium and the teams are still scoreless. Portugal created the match’s most dangerous opportunity when left back Nuno Mendes delivered a blazing left-footed shot off a corner kick at the 41st minute. Mendes’ shot took a deflection off a Spanish defender before it bounced off the crossbar. Spain holds a 55%-45% edge over Portugal in the possession battle.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has taken two shots on goal, while Spanish standout Lamine Yamal has shot once.
We’ve reached the first hydration break of the match. Portugal and Spain are still looking to get on the board at Dallas Stadium.
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Spain is currently dominating possession of the ball, and that has shown as the team has taken three shots in the early portion. Portugal has only taken one shot, but has yet to challenge Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Cristina and Uriel Hoyos arrived at Dallas Stadium holding hands — despite proudly sporting jerseys for opposing teams.
Cristina, who is rooting for Spain, said that the rivalry has lasted as long as their relationship.
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“It has always been this way — for every game we root for separate teams,” she said. “We’re from Mexico, so he roots for a team that’s opposite from my team. He roots for Real Madrid, I root for Barcelona. It’s the history of our love relationship.
Uriel said that while he’s excited to see Spain play, Portugal’s growth as a team — and Ronaldo’s long and storied career — keep him rooting for the Seleção das Quinas.
Cristina said she has absolute faith that Spain will come away with a victory today, but Uriel was not so sure.
“We’ll see about that,” he said.
— Sally Avila Edwards
Dozens of Portugal fans are marching in an impromptu parade down Randol Mill Road to Dallas Stadium, proudly waving red and green flags in support of their team.
Marissa Abruduansu, a Portugal fan visiting from Kentucky, said the spur-of-the-moment spectacle was the perfect start to the match.
“I don’t know what I expected, but this was just like the best start, with everyone chanting,” Abrudaunsu said.
Many fans also brought large cardboard cutouts of Cristiano Ronaldo’s face to join in the march, chanting his name as they walked. Portugal fans were quick to jeer at an opposing fan — a man wearing an Argentinian Messi jersey — who made his way into the crowd to boo Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo’s the best!!” a young boy sitting on his father’s shoulders yelled back at the heckler.
Portugal and Spain supporters cool themselves with fans as they stand in the shade outside Dallas Stadium before a World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Spain and Portugal, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Arlington.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Temperatures climbed into the 90s and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky outside Dallas Stadium over an hour before kickoff.
Fans are repurposing their Spanish and Portuguese flags to cover themselves from the sun, using pamphlets as makeshift fans to beat the heat.
But Juan Carlos, a fan who travelled from Spain for today’s game, said the heat reminded him of home.
“It’s very hot here, very hot,” he said. “But yes, in Spain we have similar high temperatures, so it’s not too bad.”
A television reporter speaks with Portugal fans before a World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Spain, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Arlington.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Fans of Spain and Portugal have flooded into Arlington, creating a red sea down AT&T Way as they make their way to Dallas Stadium. Amid all the red, one name stands out — Ronaldo.
Fans of all ages are sporting Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey, with entire families proudly sporting the number 7 to support the star. Soccer fans from around the world are watching as the legendary forward takes to the pitch this afternoon in hopes of advancing Portugal to the quarterfinals.
“I’m feeling my inner child right now,” Gilbert Castillo, who has been cheering for Ronaldo since 2004, said as he waited for the game to begin. “My hero is still playing.”
Monday’s match could be Ronaldo’s last time playing in the World Cup. He recently confirmed that this will be his last World Cup. If Portugal does not defeat Spain, this will be his last World Cup game.
“I have a lot at stake in this game,” Casillo said.
More than 3 hours to kickoff, Spain and Portugal fans are streaming to Dallas Stadium, which will begin letting in fans at 11. Biggest early prematch gathering I’ve seen to date. pic.twitter.com/W6OyE9RyiO
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) July 6, 2026
Where: Dallas Stadium, Arlington
Broadcast: Fox (Ch. 4), Telemundo
Nickname: Seleção das Quinas (Selection of the Shields)
World Cup appearances: 9 (1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Portugal population: 11.4 million
Top storyline: Entering the tournament, one of Portugal’s top storylines was whether Cristiano Ronaldo could match the star power of Argentina’s Lionel Messi as each legend stepped into his record-setting sixth World Cup.
Well … that ship has pretty much sailed, and Messi left Ronaldo standing on the dock.
But the 41-year-old Portuguese forward has found the net three times in the 2026 World Cup, including a penalty kick to equalize the team’s Round of 32 match against Croatia — Gonçalo Ramos found the winner in stoppage time.
This will be the third time since 2010 that the European powers meet in the World Cup, with Spain having won 1-0 in 2010 and the two sides playing to a 3-3 draw in 2018.
Players to watch: Beyond Ronaldo, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Rafael Leão and Ramos have scored for Portugal. Keep an eye on Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva as well, both of whom star in the Premier League.
Read more about Portugal here.
World Cup appearances: 17 (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Best finish: Champion (2010)
Spain population: 47.8 million
Top storyline: Spain is the reigning European champion and a threat to win any major tournament it plays in, but La Roja have been disappointing at the World Cup in recent years. Before beating Austria on Thursday in the round of 32, the team hadn’t won a knockout-round game since winning it all in 2010, astonishing given the quality of players they’ve had in that stretch. A new generation of Spanish players hopes to relive the glory of the team that inspired it 16 years ago.
Players to watch: Spain’s title hopes begin with Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old sensation who has been regaining his fitness and form throughout the tournament. He’s shown poise and composure on the big stage, scoring a goal in the Euro 2024 semifinals against France at just 16. Mikel Oyarzabal is another key player, leading Spain in goals at the World Cup with four. The Real Sociedad forward will have to keep up his attacking prowess for his team to continue on to the quarterfinals.
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