<\/h2>\nRodri takes the lead, but Diogo Costa keeps Portugal in the game<\/h2>\n![\"Mikel](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/esp-2.jpg\")
PHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe game called for composure and calm.<\/p>\n
Two World Cup favorites faced off. And Rodri was the center of attention.<\/p>\n
In the first 20 minutes: three steals\u2014one in every quarter\u2014and sharp decision-making with the ball.<\/p>\n
In the 16th minute, he played a through ball to Lamine Yamal after Nuno Mendes made his only mistake\u2014he pushed forward and didn’t come back.<\/p>\n
Lamine Yamal kept his pursuer at a distance, meter by meter, on the natural grass\u2014stitched with nylon\u2014at the Dallas stadium.<\/p>\n
He asked Rodri for the ball, but once again fell victim to a recurring flaw in this World Cup: poor finishing.<\/p>\n
A soft, well-placed shot that Diogo Costa cleared.<\/p>\n
It served as a warm-up for the Portuguese goalkeeper, as moments later he made the save of the game on a shot by \u00c1lex Baena aimed at the far corner.<\/p>\n
The ball didn’t reach the expected height, and Diogo Costa made a spectacular save with a cross-handed stop (Filed under: Mikel Merino sends Spain through).<\/p>\n
Spain dominated the game, but Portugal responded with some dangerous attacks<\/h2>\n![\"soccer,](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/esp-3.jpg\")
PHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt was Spain’s second warning.<\/p>\n
The first came in the 8th minute, courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal, who had been unstoppable up to that point. But he missed a one-on-one, shooting wide of the goal.<\/p>\n
A chance created by Dani Olmo’s foresight, proving once again that he is the most creative player with the ball in this World Cup.<\/p>\n
Rodri is linking up with the forwards, while Pedri hasn’t found his best form yet. He’s still off his game.<\/p>\n
Spain dominated, played better in the first half, and yet still struggled.<\/p>\n
That’s to be expected in a match of this World Cup final’s stature. Unai Sim\u00f3n faced his toughest challenge yet in the tournament.<\/p>\n
In the 37th minute, he blocked a header by Joao F\u00e9lix with his shoulder and made a diving save to stop Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s follow-up shot after the rebound (Filed under: Mikel Merino sends Spain through).<\/p>\n
The crossbar prevented Portugal from scoring<\/h2>\n![\"Mikel](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/esp-4.jpg\")
PHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd in the 41st minute, the crossbar saved Spain.<\/p>\n
Nuno Mendes had too much space at the edge of the box following a corner kick; he didn’t hesitate, and his shot was deflected by Pedro Porro’s head and hit the post.<\/p>\n
Warnings from Portugal in the Face of Spain’s Dominance.<\/p>\n
The break helped the Portuguese regain their composure, but Spain regained its momentum as the minutes ticked by and following Nuno Mendes\u2019s injury\u2014which occurred the first and only time Lamine Yamal was able to beat him in a one-on-one situation.<\/p>\n
Spain kept pushing. Just as Luis de la Fuente kept expressing his confidence that he could bring Mikel Merino on board for the cause.<\/p>\n
A foot injury kept him out of action for four months.<\/p>\n
From late January to late May, but their trust was blind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d go pick him up at his house and carry him in my arms,\u201d said Luis de la Fuente (Filed under: Mikel Merino leads Spain to qualification).<\/p>\n
Mikel Merino was once again the hero<\/h2>\n![\"goal,](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/esp-5.jpg\")
PHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd that confidence paid off. Mikel Merino’s opportunism came through once again on a crucial day.<\/p>\n
He already did it at Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Germany\u2026 in Germany.<\/p>\n
His goal in the 91st minute secured Spain’s advancement, and he did it all over again on Monday in Dallas against Portugal.<\/p>\n
Olmo’s foresight didn’t pay off, but Ferran Torres’s did.<\/p>\n
With plenty of freedom across the entire attacking front and taking on a new role, he played the ball through so that Mikel Merino could put all his \u201cNo. 9\u201d skills on display.<\/p>\n
Over the past two years at Arsenal, he has steadily improved to the point where he has surpassed Diogo Costa, replicating his iconic celebration\u2014just like his father, \u00c1ngel Miguel\u2014by spinning the corner flag to send Spain to the World Cup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
The game called for composure and calm.<\/p>\n
Two World Cup favorites faced off. And Rodri was the center of attention.<\/p>\n
In the first 20 minutes: three steals\u2014one in every quarter\u2014and sharp decision-making with the ball.<\/p>\n
In the 16th minute, he played a through ball to Lamine Yamal after Nuno Mendes made his only mistake\u2014he pushed forward and didn’t come back.<\/p>\n
Lamine Yamal kept his pursuer at a distance, meter by meter, on the natural grass\u2014stitched with nylon\u2014at the Dallas stadium.<\/p>\n
He asked Rodri for the ball, but once again fell victim to a recurring flaw in this World Cup: poor finishing.<\/p>\n
A soft, well-placed shot that Diogo Costa cleared.<\/p>\n
It served as a warm-up for the Portuguese goalkeeper, as moments later he made the save of the game on a shot by \u00c1lex Baena aimed at the far corner.<\/p>\n
The ball didn’t reach the expected height, and Diogo Costa made a spectacular save with a cross-handed stop (Filed under: Mikel Merino sends Spain through).<\/p>\n
Spain dominated the game, but Portugal responded with some dangerous attacks<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt was Spain’s second warning.<\/p>\n
The first came in the 8th minute, courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal, who had been unstoppable up to that point. But he missed a one-on-one, shooting wide of the goal.<\/p>\n
A chance created by Dani Olmo’s foresight, proving once again that he is the most creative player with the ball in this World Cup.<\/p>\n
Rodri is linking up with the forwards, while Pedri hasn’t found his best form yet. He’s still off his game.<\/p>\n
Spain dominated, played better in the first half, and yet still struggled.<\/p>\n
That’s to be expected in a match of this World Cup final’s stature. Unai Sim\u00f3n faced his toughest challenge yet in the tournament.<\/p>\n
In the 37th minute, he blocked a header by Joao F\u00e9lix with his shoulder and made a diving save to stop Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s follow-up shot after the rebound (Filed under: Mikel Merino sends Spain through).<\/p>\n
The crossbar prevented Portugal from scoring<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd in the 41st minute, the crossbar saved Spain.<\/p>\n
Nuno Mendes had too much space at the edge of the box following a corner kick; he didn’t hesitate, and his shot was deflected by Pedro Porro’s head and hit the post.<\/p>\n
Warnings from Portugal in the Face of Spain’s Dominance.<\/p>\n
The break helped the Portuguese regain their composure, but Spain regained its momentum as the minutes ticked by and following Nuno Mendes\u2019s injury\u2014which occurred the first and only time Lamine Yamal was able to beat him in a one-on-one situation.<\/p>\n
Spain kept pushing. Just as Luis de la Fuente kept expressing his confidence that he could bring Mikel Merino on board for the cause.<\/p>\n
A foot injury kept him out of action for four months.<\/p>\n
From late January to late May, but their trust was blind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d go pick him up at his house and carry him in my arms,\u201d said Luis de la Fuente (Filed under: Mikel Merino leads Spain to qualification).<\/p>\n
Mikel Merino was once again the hero<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd that confidence paid off. Mikel Merino’s opportunism came through once again on a crucial day.<\/p>\n
He already did it at Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Germany\u2026 in Germany.<\/p>\n
His goal in the 91st minute secured Spain’s advancement, and he did it all over again on Monday in Dallas against Portugal.<\/p>\n
Olmo’s foresight didn’t pay off, but Ferran Torres’s did.<\/p>\n
With plenty of freedom across the entire attacking front and taking on a new role, he played the ball through so that Mikel Merino could put all his \u201cNo. 9\u201d skills on display.<\/p>\n
Over the past two years at Arsenal, he has steadily improved to the point where he has surpassed Diogo Costa, replicating his iconic celebration\u2014just like his father, \u00c1ngel Miguel\u2014by spinning the corner flag to send Spain to the World Cup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
It was Spain’s second warning.<\/p>\n
The first came in the 8th minute, courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal, who had been unstoppable up to that point. But he missed a one-on-one, shooting wide of the goal.<\/p>\n
A chance created by Dani Olmo’s foresight, proving once again that he is the most creative player with the ball in this World Cup.<\/p>\n
Rodri is linking up with the forwards, while Pedri hasn’t found his best form yet. He’s still off his game.<\/p>\n
Spain dominated, played better in the first half, and yet still struggled.<\/p>\n
That’s to be expected in a match of this World Cup final’s stature. Unai Sim\u00f3n faced his toughest challenge yet in the tournament.<\/p>\n
In the 37th minute, he blocked a header by Joao F\u00e9lix with his shoulder and made a diving save to stop Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s follow-up shot after the rebound (Filed under: Mikel Merino sends Spain through).<\/p>\n
The crossbar prevented Portugal from scoring<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd in the 41st minute, the crossbar saved Spain.<\/p>\n
Nuno Mendes had too much space at the edge of the box following a corner kick; he didn’t hesitate, and his shot was deflected by Pedro Porro’s head and hit the post.<\/p>\n
Warnings from Portugal in the Face of Spain’s Dominance.<\/p>\n
The break helped the Portuguese regain their composure, but Spain regained its momentum as the minutes ticked by and following Nuno Mendes\u2019s injury\u2014which occurred the first and only time Lamine Yamal was able to beat him in a one-on-one situation.<\/p>\n
Spain kept pushing. Just as Luis de la Fuente kept expressing his confidence that he could bring Mikel Merino on board for the cause.<\/p>\n
A foot injury kept him out of action for four months.<\/p>\n
From late January to late May, but their trust was blind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d go pick him up at his house and carry him in my arms,\u201d said Luis de la Fuente (Filed under: Mikel Merino leads Spain to qualification).<\/p>\n
Mikel Merino was once again the hero<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd that confidence paid off. Mikel Merino’s opportunism came through once again on a crucial day.<\/p>\n
He already did it at Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Germany\u2026 in Germany.<\/p>\n
His goal in the 91st minute secured Spain’s advancement, and he did it all over again on Monday in Dallas against Portugal.<\/p>\n
Olmo’s foresight didn’t pay off, but Ferran Torres’s did.<\/p>\n
With plenty of freedom across the entire attacking front and taking on a new role, he played the ball through so that Mikel Merino could put all his \u201cNo. 9\u201d skills on display.<\/p>\n
Over the past two years at Arsenal, he has steadily improved to the point where he has surpassed Diogo Costa, replicating his iconic celebration\u2014just like his father, \u00c1ngel Miguel\u2014by spinning the corner flag to send Spain to the World Cup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
And in the 41st minute, the crossbar saved Spain.<\/p>\n
Nuno Mendes had too much space at the edge of the box following a corner kick; he didn’t hesitate, and his shot was deflected by Pedro Porro’s head and hit the post.<\/p>\n
Warnings from Portugal in the Face of Spain’s Dominance.<\/p>\n
The break helped the Portuguese regain their composure, but Spain regained its momentum as the minutes ticked by and following Nuno Mendes\u2019s injury\u2014which occurred the first and only time Lamine Yamal was able to beat him in a one-on-one situation.<\/p>\n
Spain kept pushing. Just as Luis de la Fuente kept expressing his confidence that he could bring Mikel Merino on board for the cause.<\/p>\n
A foot injury kept him out of action for four months.<\/p>\n
From late January to late May, but their trust was blind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d go pick him up at his house and carry him in my arms,\u201d said Luis de la Fuente (Filed under: Mikel Merino leads Spain to qualification).<\/p>\n
Mikel Merino was once again the hero<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Instagram of the Spanish National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAnd that confidence paid off. Mikel Merino’s opportunism came through once again on a crucial day.<\/p>\n
He already did it at Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Germany\u2026 in Germany.<\/p>\n
His goal in the 91st minute secured Spain’s advancement, and he did it all over again on Monday in Dallas against Portugal.<\/p>\n
Olmo’s foresight didn’t pay off, but Ferran Torres’s did.<\/p>\n
With plenty of freedom across the entire attacking front and taking on a new role, he played the ball through so that Mikel Merino could put all his \u201cNo. 9\u201d skills on display.<\/p>\n
Over the past two years at Arsenal, he has steadily improved to the point where he has surpassed Diogo Costa, replicating his iconic celebration\u2014just like his father, \u00c1ngel Miguel\u2014by spinning the corner flag to send Spain to the World Cup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
And that confidence paid off. Mikel Merino’s opportunism came through once again on a crucial day.<\/p>\n
He already did it at Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Germany\u2026 in Germany.<\/p>\n
His goal in the 91st minute secured Spain’s advancement, and he did it all over again on Monday in Dallas against Portugal.<\/p>\n
Olmo’s foresight didn’t pay off, but Ferran Torres’s did.<\/p>\n
With plenty of freedom across the entire attacking front and taking on a new role, he played the ball through so that Mikel Merino could put all his \u201cNo. 9\u201d skills on display.<\/p>\n
Over the past two years at Arsenal, he has steadily improved to the point where he has surpassed Diogo Costa, replicating his iconic celebration\u2014just like his father, \u00c1ngel Miguel\u2014by spinning the corner flag to send Spain to the World Cup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
![\"Mikel](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/esp-6.jpg\")