Merino's added-time goal sends Spain past Portugal
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- Mikel Merino, introduced as a substitute, scored in added time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the 2026 World Cup round of 16.
- Spain advanced to the quarter-finals after Merino's late strike — dubbed a "killer goal" — broke Portuguese hearts in the final minutes.
Why it matters: Spain eliminated a direct rival in the knockout stage to reach the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, with Merino's stoppage-time goal proving decisive in a tight 1-0 result.
