Yamal, Spain Eliminate Ronaldo, Portugal, Final Match Stats, Highlights, Updated World Cup Bracket

Mikel Merino has made a habit of scoring clutch goals for Arsenal at the club level. It's only fitting that he would do the same for Spain at the World Cup.

The veteran midfielder and forward scored the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time on Monday as Spain survived a nervy battle against Portugal, winning 1-0.

Spain now await the winner of the United States vs. Belgium.

So how did we get to Merino's memorable moment?

It was ultimately a result that Spain deserved. They held the advantage in xG (1.77 to 0.60), held 56 percent of possession, out-shot Portugal 15-10 (6-2 on goal) and won seven corners to just three for Portugal.

The Portuguese had their chances but failed to bury them, leading to a far earlier departure from the World Cup than expected.

The Spaniards have been defensively impenetrable during this World Cup, allowing no goals through five games while outscoring opponents by a 9-0 margin. Only Cabo Verde, World Cup darlings, managed a result against them (a scoreless draw).

It almost assuredly marks the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's international career. He'll always have the 2016 Euros triumph, but Monday's loss ensured he'll never match the biggest accomplishment of his primary rival, Lionel Messi—a World Cup title.

Monday also marked the end of Roberto Marintez's time as Portugal's manager, as he told reporters after the game:

And so off to the quarters Spain go, remaining one of the favorites to win the whole thing. France have been brilliant and Argentina still have Messi, but the Spaniards have dominated through control and discipline thus far. Portugal was a major test taken and passed.