Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino send Cristiano Ronaldo home

BarcelonaSpain, quarter-final team of the World Cup. A goal from 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 Martinez'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 or the United States will be "la roja"s opponents in the next knockout round.

Played at the imposing AT&T Stadium in Dallas (Texas), the match was dominated by two teams designed to build. There will be no tie in this World Cup with a more creative midfield lineup than what the two contenders brought together. 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 teams do not want to take when so much is at stake and strength is scarce after a marathon club season. Precisely from this risk arose two inaccuracies in their own half prior to the first two clear chances of the match. In the 8th minute, Olmo collected a ball in a dangerous area to set up Oyarzabal, who found himself alone and face-to-face with Diogo Costa and hit the Portuguese post – on the outside – with his shot. 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 once again warned seriously with a double chance that Diogo Costa rejected with two meritorious saves, first against Lamine Yamal – quite subdued beyond that action – and then against Baena, who has established himself as the first option on the left wing due to Nico Williams' injury. Driven by the good match against Austria, la roja was finding solutions to threaten an opponent, the first one with a face and eyes that they had faced in the entire championship, who also generated problems for them at the back. In fact, at the stroke of half-time, they were grateful for a no-motor flight from Unai Simón to frustrate an acrobatic header from Cristiano and celebrated that a shot from Mendes, poisoned by Porro, ended up on the crossbar instead of in the net. Special mention in this part of the match for João Félix, Bob Martínez's choice over Rafa Leão. The former Barcelona 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 Spain. Mendes, the best antidote to stop the ambushes of the Mataró winger, got injured. Ex-Blaugrana Semedo came on in his place and the Portuguese tended to sink into their own half, which the Spanish did not turn into blatant opportunities to break the deadlock quickly. Only Olmo and Baena caused concern in this stretch with some runs that didn't end happily. The hydration break in the second period was opportune for Bob Martínez to move the bench (Leão and Dalot). Shortly after, De la Fuente made his first substitution, Ferran Torres (for Baena). He would not regret it.

The balance was not broken in any way, although Costa felt more threatened than Unai Simón. If the Portuguese plan was to rely on extra time, the Spanish coach's plan was bolder. The bet on Ferran, so criticized in the early days of the World Cup, paid off, as the player from Foios had the composure that he often lacks to see a movement from the second line by Mikel Merino – another on-the-fly swap – to provide him with 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.