arts
Mikel Merino's late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career
By Schuyler Dixon | Associated Press at Fort Worth Report
· July 6, 2026
· 1 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back
Key takeaway Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The thrilling conclusion to the Spain-Portugal match will have local soccer fans in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex buzzing, particularly those who follow the sport at Texas Christian University, where the Horned Frogs' own soccer teams compete. As Spain advances to the quarterfinals, Fort Worth residents can look forward to watching their next match against either the United States or Belgium, which will be played in Los Angeles. The city's own rich sports culture, including the vibrant atmosphere of the Fort Worth Stockyards and Sundance Square, may inspire local gatherings to watch the upcoming quarterfinals match. With the World Cup capturing the attention of fans worldwide, the Dallas-Fort Worth area's diverse community of soccer enthusiasts will likely come together to cheer on their favorite teams, making for an exciting and lively local soccer scene.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: arts ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Schuyler Dixon | Associated Press at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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