Spain knock out bitter rivals Portugal ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career with late winner on day three of the Round of 16

After an absolutely chaotic Sunday of Round of 16 FIFA World Cup action, both on and off the pitch, Monday brought another 2 Round of 16 games, with 4 teams fighting to book their place in the Quarter Finals. The opening game of the day was a massive one, the big rivalry game between Portugal and Spain. 

Roberto Martinez made just the one change to the starting XI that began the controversial 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 32. Rafael Leão was dropped and replaced by João Félix on the left wing, while Cristiano Ronaldo started as the lone striker in potentially the final ever World Cup game of his career. 

Luis De La Fuente opted to keep the exact same starting XI that began the 3-0 cruise to victory over Austria in the Round of 32. Mikel Oyarzabal started the game up front, looking to add to his impressive World Cup tally this tournament, while captain Rodri and young star Pedri retained their place as the holding midfield partnership. 

General view as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lines up with teammates during the national anthems before the match

Issei Kato

World Cup Round of 16 - Spain vs Portugal

The opening 15 minutes of the game were action-packed to say the least, with end-to-end action. Oyarzabal tested Costa’s hands in the Portugal goal just a few minutes into the game with a long-distance strike, and then just 8 minutes into the game, the Spanish striker should have put his nation 1-0 up when he was played through one-on-one with Costa, but he dragged his shot wide of the post and somehow missed the golden chance. 

Cristiano Ronaldo then tested the hands of Unai Simón in the Spanish goal when he broke into the box at the near post, but his strike was well saved by the Spanish shotstopper. Costa then made a fantastic double save for Portugal, initially from Lamine Yamal, who tried to curl one into the far left corner, but Costa met it well. His save fell to Alex Baena, and the Spanish winger cut inside and tried to find the other far corner with a curling effort, but Costa produced a brilliant save to claw the ball out from finding the top corner. 

Spain's Mikel Merino celebrates scoring their first goal as Portugal's Diogo Costa reacts

MARIA LYSAKER

Coming out of the hydration break and just past the half-hour mark, Cristiano Ronaldo went close again when a cross into the box was flicked on by João Félix, but the Portuguese legend couldn’t get enough on the ball to beat Unai Simón. 

Portugal ended the half well and went agonizingly close with a few minutes left in the first half when Nuno Mendes’ long-range shot was headed by Spanish defender Pedro Porro onto the Spanish bar to keep the scoreline 0-0 between the two rivals going into the halftime break. 

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match as Portugal are eliminated from the World Cup.

JEROME MIRON

The 2nd half started slowly between the bitter rivals until Pedri had a long shot for Spain that was deflected over the bar. The 2nd half was lacking any sort of creative spark from either side. Bruno Fernandes hit the side netting with a half chance for Portugal, and Lamine Yamal saw his effort with 15 minutes left well saved by Costa in the Portuguese goal. 

As it looked like the two rivals were heading for a 7th draw, the deadlock was finally broken in the 91st minute, and history continued for another World Cup. After some patient buildup by Spain, Mikel Merino made a great run between the center-backs, and Ferran Torres found him brilliantly with a pass. Merino then slotted it past the oncoming Costa to put Spain 1-0 up, keep them unbeaten against Portugal in the World Cup, and send them through to the Quarter Finals. 

Spain's Pau Cubarsi and Pedro Porro celebrate after the match

TIM HEITMAN

Bernardo Silva had a golden opportunity to level the game in the dying seconds, but his header from a Francisco Conceição cross was just too high and went over the bar, a chance he really should have taken.  

The final whistle was blown; Portugal’s 2026 World Cup journey came to an end, and so did Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, as the legendary forward stated before the game that this would be his final World Cup. Ronaldo will most likely be known as the greatest player to never win a World Cup. 

Day 4 of the Round of 16

Tuesday brings two more games from the Round of 16, the final two before we move on to the Quarter Finals. We start the day off watching two greats go head-to-head as Lionel Messi and Argentina take on Mohamed Salah and Egypt. We then end the day and the Round of 16 with Switzerland taking on Colombia.