Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino send Cristiano Ronaldo home

BarcelonaSpain, quarter-final team of the World Cup. A goal by Mikel Merino in the last minute places Luis de la Fuente's team among the eight privileged to lift the World Cup this July 19 in New Jersey. The Basque midfielder from Arsenal, a second-half substitute, turned a sensational through ball from Ferran Torres, who also brought magic from the bench, into gold. With this score (0-1), Bob Martínez's Portugal – and Cristiano Ronaldo's – joins the sorrow of Germany, Brazil, or the Netherlands, other teams that have already had to pack their bags. Belgium will be the rivals of the red one in the next round.

Played at the imposing AT&T Stadium in Dallas (Texas), the match was contested by two teams built for construction. There will be no knockout tie in this World Cup with a more creative midfield lineup than the one assembled by the two contenders. Rodri, Pedri and Olmo on one side and Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes on the other. All elite level. Such a concentration of talent led to long ball possessions, fresh ideas, and also a degree of risk that other national teams do not want to take when so much is at stake and energy is scarce after a marathon club season. From this risk precisely arose two imprecisions in their own half prior to the first two clear chances of the match. In the 8th minute, Olmo collected a ball in a compromised area to set up Oyarzabal, who found himself alone and face-to-face with Diogo Costa and grazed the Portuguese post with his shot – on the outside. And in the 12th minute, Cristiano responded with a sharp strike, well saved by Unai Simón, after a poor pass from Pedri.

Still at the start of the duel, Spain warned again seriously with a double chance that Diogo Costa rejected with two meritorious saves, first against Lamine Yamal – quite muted beyond that action – and then against Baena, who has become the first option on the left wing due to Nico Williams' injury. Boosted by the good match against Austria, la roja found solutions to threaten an opponent, the first one with a face and eyes that they had faced in the entire championship, which also caused them problems at the back. In fact, at the turn of halftime, they were grateful for a motorless flight by Unai Simón to thwart an acrobatic header by Cristiano and celebrated that a shot from Mendes, poisoned by Porro, ended up on the crossbar instead of the net. Special mention in this part of the match for João Félix, Bob Martínez's choice over Rafa Leão. The former Barça player showed good details with the ball and (news) also without it. No one would have said that playing Saudi Arabia would teach him to press.

De la Fuente's substitutions, decisive

The second half began with fantastic news for Lamine Yamal and for Spain. Mendes, the best antidote to stop the ambushes of the winger from Mataró, got injured. Former Barça player Semedo came on in his place and the Portuguese tended to sink into their own half, something the Spanish did not turn into clear opportunities to break the deadlock quickly. Only Olmo and Baena caused concern in this stretch with some runs that did not end happily. The hydration break in the second half was timely for Bob Martínez to move the bench (Leão and Dalot). Shortly after, De la Fuente made his first change, Ferran Torres (for Baena). He would not regret it.

The balance was not being broken in any way, although Costa felt more threatened than Unai Simón. If the Portuguese plan was to rely everything on extra time, the Spanish coach's plan was more daring. The bet on Ferran, so criticized in the early days of the World Cup, paid off, as the player from Foios had the composure he often lacks to see a movement from the second line by Mikel Merino – another on-the-fly substitution – to serve him a fantastic assist. The Basque player faced the Portuguese goal alone to score in the 90th minute a goal with a taste of glory that puts an end to the World Cup dream of Cristiano and one of the best-equipped teams in the championship. In contrast, Lamine Yamal and half of Barça will continue the adventure in North America. Hansi Flick will have to wait for them a little longer.