local
Mikel Merino’s late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career
By SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino p...
Key takeaway Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville soccer fans who gathered to watch the Spain-Portugal match are still buzzing about Mikel Merino's late goal, which not only sealed the win for Spain but also marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career. The city's growing soccer community, which has been eagerly following the tournament, will be interested to see how Spain's quarterfinals match against either the United States or Belgium plays out. With the US possibly advancing, local fans may have a vested interest in the outcome, and area sports bars and venues can expect a lively crowd on Friday. The match's outcome also sparks conversation about the legacy of Ronaldo, whose impressive career has been an inspiration to many young soccer players in Nashville's own youth leagues and development programs. As the World Cup continues, Nashville's soccer enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how the remaining teams fare.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino p...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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