Ronaldo’s World Cup Dream Ends!

Details

• Ronaldo’s last World Cup ended in the Round of 16, as Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Spain in a tense match that looked set for extra time.
• Mikel Merino scored the only goal in the first minute of stoppage time, after Ferran Torres released him behind the Portugal defence from a quickly taken free-kick.
• Portugal had chances to force extra time, with Nuno Mendes hitting the crossbar before the break and Bernardo Silva heading over from close range late on.
• Ronaldo played the full match but struggled to influence the game, ending his final World Cup without the trophy that had remained missing from his career.
• After the match, the 41-year-old confirmed this had been his last World Cup, but said he would take time before deciding whether to continue with Portugal.
• Roberto Martínez also confirmed he would leave as Portugal coach after the defeat, saying he had taken the job with the aim of winning the World Cup.
• Spain reached the quarter-finals without conceding a goal at the tournament and will now face Belgium in Los Angeles.
• Belgium beat co-hosts United States 4-1 in Seattle, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku sealed the win.
• The US exit came after a controversial build-up dominated by FIFA’s decision to overturn Balogun’s one-match suspension following his red card in the previous round.

What Else

• The next clash: Spain face Belgium in Los Angeles for a place in the semi-finals, while tonight Argentina face Egypt in the Round of 16, and Switzerland meet Colombia in the other match still to complete that side of the quarter-final draw.
• The Ronaldo question: Ronaldo says this was his last World Cup, but he has not yet decided whether he will continue playing for Portugal.
• The co-hosts: The United States joined Mexico and Canada in exiting the tournament, leaving no host nation in the quarter-finals.