Kathmandu, July 7: Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16.
The match, played at the Dallas Stadium in the United States, looked destined for extra time after both sides failed to find the net during the 90 minutes of regulation time. However, deep into second-half stoppage time, Mikel Merino produced the decisive moment, scoring a late winner to send Spain through to the last eight.
With the victory, Spain advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years. Since lifting the trophy in 2010, La Roja had failed to reach the quarterfinal stage in subsequent editions of the tournament.
For Portugal, the defeat brought their World Cup campaign to an end in the Round of 16. The result also marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup. Playing in what is expected to be his final World Cup, the Portuguese captain finished the tournament with three goals in five appearances.
