Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to place Spain within the quarter-finals and finish Ronaldo’s World Cup profession on Tuesday morning
The European champions will face the US – the one one of many co-hosts remaining – or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.
In entrance of an expectant crowd of 70,649 on the air-conditioned residence of the Dallas Cowboys, a match that on paper promised a lot failed to actually ship.
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Further time seemed sure, earlier than fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the competition within the first minute of harm time.
It meant a bitter last World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, now enjoying in Saudi Arabia, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this is able to be his final dance on soccer’s largest stage.
The neighbours got here into the competition each unbeaten, however whereas Portugal had not been completely convincing, Spain had not even conceded a purpose within the event.
One of many pre-tournament favourites, they nonetheless haven’t.
For all their pedigree, expertise and historical past, Spain have solely lifted the World Cup as soon as, in 2010, whereas Portugal’s greatest was third place in 1966.
An emotional Ronaldo broke down in tears after the ultimate whistle, whereas Portugal supervisor Roberto Martínez stepped down shortly after the match.
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In Ronaldo and Spain’s 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, the last-16 showdown was touted as a showcase of two extraordinary skills at reverse ends of their careers.
There was a sombre second shortly earlier than kickoff when a black-and-white picture of the late Portugal ahead Diogo Jota flashed up on the enormous display screen that looms over the sector.
Spain ought to have been forward with lower than 10 minutes gone when Dani Olmo performed in Mikel Oyarzabal however with solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa to beat, he by some means pulled it effectively vast.
Portugal skipper Ronaldo had his first likelihood so as to add to his three objectives in North America, stinging the palms of goalkeeper Unai Simon from a decent angle.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain cranked up the stress, Yamal and Alex Baena testing Costa twice in fast succession, the second a beautiful fingertip save.
Ronaldo — jeered and cheered in equal measure — was a marginal presence within the central attacking function he now occupies within the twilight of his profession.
Portugal ended the half on prime and Martinez’s facet had been inches from taking the lead when Spain full-back Pedro Porro caught out his head and directed a Nuno Mendes shot onto his personal crossbar.
The winger Yamal had endured a irritating time up in opposition to Mendes, however the Paris Saint-Germain fullback was compelled off injured after 56 minutes in a blow to Portugal.
The sport wanted a spark and Ronaldo, well-known to Spain from his time at Actual Madrid, threw up his arms when a go went astray.
Martinez made double modifications on 71 and 83 minutes, however saved Ronaldo on. And in a recreation that was cagey, Arsenal midfielder Merino received it on the demise with a composed end that was out of retaining with a lot of what went on earlier than.
Martínez copped criticism for his reluctance to deliver off Ronaldo, who performed the entire 90 minutes with out throwing any punches.
“There’s just one man guilty for this, the gutless supervisor,” former England ahead Chris Sutton mentioned on BBC Radio 5 Stay.
“Goncalo Ramos got here off the bench to win the sport for Portugal in opposition to Croatia and but you appear him staying on the bench.
“Simply bowing all the way down to Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Former Socceroos Tommy Oar added on SBS: “I believe Martínez is beneath numerous stress now.”
About an hour after the match’s conclusion, Martinez stepped down from the function.
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