Ronaldo confirms his last World Cup after Spain's stoppage-time winner ends Portugal's run

Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed the 2026 World Cup was his last after Spain substitute Mikel Merino struck in the 91st minute to send Portugal home with a 1-0 defeat in Dallas, ending what may be the final chapter of the greatest international career his country has ever seen.

“It was my last World Cup, yes,” Ronaldo said after the match. “But as for the rest, there’s time to think, to be with my family, and not say things in the heat of the moment.”

The 40-year-old was defiant rather than despondent in his post-match assessment. “I leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “I’ve done everything I could. Portugal had never won a cup before me and they’ve won three now. We won Euro 2016, which I think is as big as the World Cup. We gave everything — we played a good game, but Spain are among the best. They will get to the final or come close.”

Portugal had arrived in Texas with genuine belief after beating Spain on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final — the last time La Roja had tasted defeat. But the quarter-final place that seemed within reach slipped away in the second half after a pivotal moment on the hour mark.

Nuno Mendes, the one full-back in world football who has consistently neutralised Lamine Yamal, limped off with an injury in the 56th minute and was replaced by Nelson Semedo. Spain immediately sensed the opening, pinned Portugal into their own half, and grew stronger through their substitutions. Ferran Torres eventually teed up Merino to settle the tie and book Spain’s place in the last eight.

Portugal’s path to that point had already raised questions about manager Roberto Martinez. Gonçalo Ramos had rescued the side with a late goal against Croatia in the previous round, yet the striker did not feature for a single minute against Spain. It was far from the only decision that left observers puzzled.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was again Portugal’s standout performer, producing a series of sharp stops — most notably denying Mikel Oyarzabal in a first half that ended goalless despite sustained Spanish pressure.

Martinez is expected to step down following the elimination, with Ronaldo’s former coach Jorge Jesus understood to be the leading candidate to succeed him.

The defeat continues a painful pattern for Portugal against Spain at major tournaments, with La Roja having eliminated them at the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship. The Nations League triumph last year had suggested the tide was turning. In Dallas, it turned back.