Merino Sends Spain to Quarters with Late Goal

Spain was on the brink of elimination when Mikel Merino, who had just come off the bench, scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner against Portugal. The Arsenal midfielder's left-footed connection with substitute Ferran Torres secured a 1-0 victory and sent Spain to the quarter-finals where they will face either USA or Belgium. cat-cross.com

The goal came after Spain dominated the match but struggled to break through Portugal's defense. Merino, who arrived at the World Cup recovering from a rare foot injury, delivered when it mattered most, eliminating the tournament's all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo from the competition.