Spain finds a goal in stoppage-time to advance to quarterfinals over Portugal

The Iberian Peninsula matchup between Spain and Portugal did not disappoint, seeing both sides create plenty of nail-biting moments.

Mikel Oyarzabal looked to put Spain up early, forcing a the first save of the match from Diogo Costa in just the third minute.

But Portugal’s João Cancelo made sure to set the tone of this match early, finding Portugal’s first attempt in the seventh, lifting it over the bar.

But Spain would march right back down the field, with Oyarzabal’s run setting up a great opportunity in the eighth.

However, the Spanish forward just could not get his strike on target, missing wide right.

Cristiano Ronaldo would throw his hat in the ring in the 12th minute, forcing Unai Simón to make his first save of the match.

Spain would find two more great opportunities in the 16th minute, but Costa would deny the Spanish once again.

The match would simmer down for a little following the early end-to-end affair.

That was until the 38th, when Portugal seemed to have a great chance to go ahead.

A cross into the box found the head of João Félix, Simón would leave his line to block the strike.

The deflection found Ronaldo with an open net in front of him, the Portuguese forward would put the best strike he could on the ball.

But with little power, Simón was able to arrive back on his line in time to make the save.

The back-and-forth affair would continue in the 41st minute.

A corner taken short by Portugal saw Nuno Mendes fire a rocket of a strike onto net.

The ball would take a deflection before striking the crossbar.

The half would end with both sides in this Iberian rivalry locked in a 0-0 deadlock.

The first large moment in the second half saw Mendes leaving the field after suffering an injury, with Nélson Semedo coming on in relief of the PSG man.

In the second half, Spain’s offense would be the more dangerous of the two sides, but not by much.

In the 73rd, Lamine Yamal would take a dangerous free kick from just outside the box, but Costa would clean it up with ease.

In the 75th minute, both sides had only combined for five attempts, with Spain holding four of those.

But just a minute later in the 76th, Bruno Fernandes would plant a great opportunity into the outside of the net.

However, the deadlock would be broken just seconds into stoppage time.

A through ball from Ferran Torres to Mikel Merino would see Merino in a quick one-on-one with Costa.

With a firm strike from his left foot, Merino would slot the ball past Costa and right into the back of the net, giving Spain a very late lead.

In 95+2nd minute Bernardo Silva would send a header right onto net but elevated it just high.

And Portugal would get one last chance to equalize following a free kick.

The looping cross would swing into the box, catching the head of João Neves who pushed the ball just wide.

The strike would see the full-time whistle end the match, seeing Spain advance to the quarterfinal, facing off against either the U.S. or Belgium.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official

About the Author Published Jul 6, 2026

ADRIAN MURILLO SILVA

Adrian Murillo Silva covers both MLB and soccer news for Ball Exclusives. He has previously worked with other news publications such as The Lantern, the independent student voice of Ohio State.