Portugal 0-1 Spain: FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 – as it happened

Thanks for joining our live coverage of Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal in the World Cup last 16.

We have full coverage of all the build-up to the USA-Belgium match on our other live page here.

But for now, from me, Adam Hancock, and my colleague Alex Hoad, goodbye!

FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun, allowing the team’s leading goal scorer to play in their crucial last-16 World Cup match against Belgium, has stirred controversy hours before their last-16 match against Belgium.

The row and ensuing uproar deepened on Monday when President Trump confirmed asking FIFA to review its decision against Balogun, with FIFA ultimately making a U-turn on the player’s suspension from the crucial fixture.

Was FIFA’s decision the result of an unfair power move from Trump, or was it a warranted correction to a red card that should not have been issued in the first place? It depends on whom you ask.

Read more here.

We now know five of the eight World Cup quarterfinalists.

Two of the four fixtures are confirmed, with France facing Morocco and England taking on Norway.

• France
• Morocco
• Spain
• Norway
• England

THIS.
IS.
SPAIN. ❤️🇪🇸
Built for nights like these.#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/bXWNoO14b5

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) July 6, 2026

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee chief has released a lengthy statement with more details on the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s suspension against Belgium.

FIFA says “the suspension of the implementation was decided considering all of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available” and that “reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game”.

In reference to UEFA’s claims that FIFA had “crossed a red line” over the incident, the statement says: “In the majority of top-tier leagues belonging to UEFA-affiliated member associations – the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure, yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any ‘red line’.”

The fans have spoken – Rodri is your @MichelobUltra Superior Player of the Match! 👑

#FIFAWorldCup #SuperiorPOTM pic.twitter.com/F6BsgUbFhv

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2026

Spain’s Rodri has been giving his reaction to today’s match in Dallas:

“We knew Portugal would defend deep. Both teams were evenly matched and very focused on keeping possession. Overall, I think we played a good game. In the end, we took our chance and decided the match. But we can’t rest on our laurels yet. We’re delighted with the win.”

Roberto Martinez and Bruno Fernandes have been speaking to the media after Portugal crashed out of the tournament.

Manager Martinez said, “The Portuguese people can be proud of this team and these players. It’s a real pity. We also hit the crossbar. I think we deserved to take the game into extra time. We defended well. We were playing against one of the favourites to win the World Cup. Maybe we were just missing a bit of luck. Luck wasn’t on our side today, but it was a very evenly matched game.”

Fernandes said, “Obviously, we are sad. We came here with one goal, to win it all. Unfortunately, we were not at our best level. I think we played better in the first half today, but in the second half, we did the same mistake of defending too low on the field, giving the ball to them. When this happens, sooner or later you are going to concede a goal. Kudos to Spain; they have quality, but I think that if we continued doing what we did in the first half, we could’ve had a better result.”

The second game of the day is on the way in a few hours as cohosts USA take on Belgium for a place in the quaterfinals.

Build-up to the match has been dominated by FIFA’s controversial reversal of a one-game suspension against USA player Folarin Balogun, following his red card in the last round.

The Belgian football federation has vowed “to challenge” the decision.

There are plenty of subplots around that game, and you can follow all of the build-up with my colleague Kevin Hand here.

17 – Most shots on record (since 1966) at a single edition of the FIFA World Cup without creating a single chance for a teammate:

Cristiano Ronaldo, 17 (2026)
Alberto Garcia Aspe, 15 (1998)
Jerzy Gorgon, 13 (1974)
Katlego Mphela, 13 (2010)
Denis Cheryshev, 13 (2018)

Ego. pic.twitter.com/RoXzmLjs6v

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

If that is the end of Ronaldo at international level, then let’s take a look at his impressive stats for Portugal:

• Games: 233
• Goals: 146
• Assists: 46
• European Championships: 1 (2016)
• Nations League: 2 (2019, 2025)

10 – There have now been 10 last minute winners (90th or 120th) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the outright most in a single edition of the competition.

Hydration. pic.twitter.com/6GbODOT5Et

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

It’s off to the West Coast for Spain and a quarterfinal match on Friday, July 10.

Their opponents are still to be decided.

La Roja will face the winner of the USA-Belgium match, which is taking place later today.

🏁 FULL-TIME IN DALLAS!!
WE'RE INTO THE QUARTER-FINALS!! 🇪🇸

Job done. One step closer.
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!! ❤️

🇵🇹 🆚 🇪🇸 | 0-1 | FT#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0nP5QTn9ra

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) July 6, 2026

Portugal’s exit means that Cristiano Ronaldo has likely played his last-ever World Cup match.

The 41-year-old became the first man to score in six separate World Cups during this tournament, but he has struggled to shine for his national team.

His continued inclusion has resulted in some difficult questions for manager Roberto Martinez.

Ronaldo played every minute again today, but he barely threatened.

A late winner to secure a spot in the quarter-finals! 🇪🇸#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2026

That game had extra time and penalties written all over it, until it didn’t.

Merino came off the bench and changed the game with a breakthrough goal in the 91st minute.

It was a tough watch at times, with both sides cancelling each other out, but Spain got the job done, and they march into the quarterfinals.

Spain have yet to concede a goal at this tournament.

The ball is headed just wide of the post and that is the last action of the match.

In a game of few changes, Spain finished one of them and have booked their place in the last eight.

Portugal are heading home. Martinez’s reign is over. After 233 appearances, Ronaldo’s last dance might be over, too.

Full time: Portugal 0-1 Spain

Torres takes Conceicao out, and Portugal have a dangerous free kick.

Costa is up.

90+9 mins: Portugal 0-1 Spain

That was so close!

The substitute gets up high to beat Rodri in the air, but his header lands on the roof of the net.

90+7 mins: Portugal 0-1 Spain