Spain left it late to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ quarter-finals, breaking Portuguese hearts with a stoppage-time winner, while Belgium produced a dominant display to eliminate co-hosts USA in Seattle and complete the penultimate Round of 16 matchday.

Portugal 0 Spain 1

Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ quarter-finals in dramatic fashion as Mikel Merino struck deep into stoppage time to seal a 1-0 victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium. After a tightly contested encounter with few clear-cut chances, Merino’s decisive finish from Ferran Torres’ pass broke Portuguese hearts and sent Spain through to face Belgium in Los Angeles.

Both sides threatened without finding a breakthrough for much of the match, Mikel Oyarzabal missed Spain’s best first-half opportunity, while Diogo Costa produced an outstanding save to deny Alex Baena. Portugal came closest to opening the scoring when Nuno Mendes’ deflected strike crashed against the crossbar, ensuring the contest remained deadlocked heading into the closing stages.

With extra time looming, Spain found the decisive moment when Torres picked out fellow substitute Merino, who rifled a low finish beyond Costa to send La Roja into the last eight. The defeat also brings the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup career, with the 41-year-old having confirmed before the tournament this would be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage.

USA 1 Belgium 4

Belgium produced a clinical display to defeat co-hosts USA 4-1 at Seattle Stadium and book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ quarter-finals. Charles De Ketelaere starred with a first-half brace, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also found the net to set up a blockbuster last-eight clash with Spain.

Belgium made a fast start and deservedly took the lead when De Ketelaere converted from close range after Leandro Trossard’s dangerous delivery caused chaos in the USA defence. Malik Tillman briefly brought the hosts level with a deflected free-kick in the 31st minute, but Belgium restored their advantage less than two minutes later as De Ketelaere headed home his second of the match from another pinpoint Trossard cross.

The visitors put the contest beyond doubt after the break when a costly defensive error allowed Vanaken to score into an empty net, before Lukaku added a fourth deep into stoppage time after capitalising on a loose clearance. Despite late chances for Folarin Balogun, the USA were unable to mount a comeback becoming the final co-host nation to exit the tournament as Belgium advanced to face Spain in Los Angeles.

RESULTS

Round of 16

Portugal 0 Spain 1 (Mikel MERINO 90 +1′)

USA 1 (Milak TILLMAN 31′) Belgium 4 (Charles DE KETELAERE 9′, 33′, Hans VANAKEN 57′, Lukaku 90+3′)

WHAT’S NEXT

Wednesday 7 July

Round of 16

Argentina v Egypt | 4am NZT (Atlanta)

Switzerland v Colombia | 8am NZT (Vancouver)