USA vs. Belgium Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

Balogun starts for full-strength USMNT

Roberto Martinez resigns after Round of 16 exit

Noisy neighbors silenced

No one has scored on Spain yet

An all-time great calling it wraps

Tweet went out at halftime... what did he know?

It was a cagey affair in Dallas, but Spain secured a late 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16.

Mikel Merino's goal in second half stoppage time, one assisted by fellow substitute Ferran Torres, made the difference. Celebrations ensued for Spain, while Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo had to face the reality of an earlier-than-expected exit. What could have been for Portugal, whose poor group stage play saw them finish second in Group K and suffer a difficult knockout round path.

There was relatively little separating the two sides. Spain had the better of the first half, though not by a wide margin. Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal both had looks in the opening period, but the finishes went wanting. Portugal, for their part, had little going for them to start the game outside of a deflected shot that bounced off the woodwork. 

Really, it was Portugal's aggressive, man-oriented defensive approach that defined much of the match. Rather than try to make Spain chase the game, Roberto Martinez's team contended themselves with playing the antagonist role. Without much space to pick out clever line-breaking passes, Spain's attack was far more muted than it was in the Round of 32 against Austria. Even Nuno Mendes' injury exit inside the first 10 minutes of the second half didn't dash Portugal's solidity.

But Spain's attacking quality and depth proved to be too much to stop. Now through the quarterfinals, they'll take on the winner of the United States' matchup with Belgium on June 10th.

His World Cup is over

SPAIN LEAD LATE

How is no one in the area??

Could be big turning point, Nelson Semedo on to mark Lamine Yamal

In perhaps the banner game of the Round of 16, the first half was a tight affair between Portugal and Spain.

Unsurprisingly, Spain held most of the possession. By using the ball to pull apart their Iberian rivals, Luis de la Fuente's team had a handful of dangerous moments. Striker Mikel Oyarzabal enjoyed a quality look on goal, nearly finishing off a clever move worked by Alex Baena and Dani Olmo. Later, Lamine Yamal's curling effort was saved by Diogo Costa.

Though Spain have the edge on shots and expected goals, Portugal have put together a physical, man-oriented defensive display that's given them a foothold in the match. Unlike Austria, Spain's Round of 32 opponent, Portugal have taken care to limit the space and time their opponents have in midfield. The same goes for Nuno Mendes' approach to marking Yamal. Portugal want to be a nuisance, and they've delivered. Who will go on to break the deadlock?

Pedro Porro with a crucial defensive touch mid-flight

Unai Simón flying all over the place

Generational, literally

Diogo Costa put to work early

Oyarzabal drags it wide

Sit back and drink it in

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