16-Year Wait Ends! Substitute Hero Merino Scores Late Winner as Spain Beat Portugal 1-0 to Reach Quarter-Finals

In the Iberian derby of the 1/8 finals of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Spain and Portugal engaged in a fierce clash at 3:00 AM Beijing time on July 7.

In stoppage time, substitute Merino scored the winning goal, helping Spain secure a 1-0 victory in this crucial match. This triumph not only earned La Roja the glory of the derby win but also marked their return to the World Cup quarter-finals after 16 years. Spain's next opponent will be the winner between the United States and Belgium.