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Portugal vs Spain Player Ratings & Match Stats: Diogo Costa 8.3/10, Mikel Merino 8.7/10

Published:
 Mark Strijbosch Mark Strijbosch
Merino the hero for Spain, Ronaldo's final World Cup ends in defeat.
Mikel Merino sends Spain through to the quarter-finals
Mikel Merino sends Spain through to the quarter-finals

Spain snatched an Iberian derby at the death, beating Portugal 1-0 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. With extra time looming in a tense, scrappy contest, Mikel Merino struck in the 90+1st minute after Ferran Torres caught Portugal’s defence napping with a quick free-kick. Portugal had late openings through Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo but could not find the equaliser. It was a brutal ending for Ronaldo, whose final World Cup appearance ended in heartbreak, while Spain march on after a dramatic late steal.

Player Ratings

Portugal

Player Name

Rating

Description

Diogo Costa

8.3

Made outstanding saves to deny Yamal, Baena, and Pedri in quick succession, keeping Portugal competitive throughout.

João Cancelo

6.4

Provided overlapping runs and crosses from right-back before being withdrawn for tactical reasons in the second half.

Rúben Dias

7.4

Commanding defensive display anchored by a sensational block to deny Dani Olmo's goal-bound curling strike in the 79th minute.

Renato Veiga

6.3

Made a vital block on Pedri's shot but struggled under pressure and was booked late for a cynical foul.

Nuno Mendes

6.9

Struck the crossbar with a thunderous deflected shot before an injury forced his departure at 56 minutes.

João Neves

6.6

Showed composure and technical ability in tight spaces; beat Olmo with clever skill and made useful interceptions.

Vitinha

6.5

Contributed to Portugal's possession game and had a curling effort blocked by Rodri before being substituted.

Bruno Fernandes

6.7

First-time strike flashed narrowly wide in the second half; pressed diligently and delivered dangerous set-piece deliveries.

Pedro Neto

6.3

Provided width on the right wing with an early shot blocked by Pedri; struggled to consistently beat his marker.

João Félix

6.8

Created Portugal's best first-half chance with a header that drew a brilliant save from Unai Simón.

Cristiano Ronaldo

4.8

Frustrating evening with minimal effective contribution; shot weakly at goalkeeper from six yards when accuracy was needed.

Nélson Semedo

5.9

Entered at left-back after Mendes' injury but was beaten by Yamal's dribble and offered limited attacking threat.

Diogo Dalot

6.3

Made useful interceptions at right-back after replacing Cancelo; composed on the ball without being heavily tested.

Rafael Leão

6.9

Injected pace off the bench with an excellent dribble leaving Porro grounded; looked likeliest to create late on.

Bernardo Silva

5.4

Booked shortly after entering; headed over from close range in dying seconds to end Portugal's hopes of extra time.

Francisco Conceição

6.1

Won a late foul and delivered the cross that Bernardo Silva headed over in the final desperate seconds.

Spain

Player Name

Rating

Description

Unai Simón

7.8

Made outstanding consecutive saves from João Félix's header and Ronaldo's follow-up to preserve Spain's clean sheet.

Pedro Porro

6.7

Crucial intervention deflecting Nuno Mendes' fierce strike onto the crossbar; solid defensively down the right flank throughout.

Pau Cubarsí

6.8

Impressive composure for a young defender; excellent distribution under pressure and won aerial duels consistently throughout.

Aymeric Laporte

6.6

Provided experience and organisation at centre-back; fouled Ronaldo but otherwise defended solidly and cleared crosses effectively.

Marc Cucurella

6.5

Offered defensive stability at left-back with disciplined positioning and safe passing; maintained concentration throughout the match.

Rodri

7.2

Dictated tempo from midfield and made crucial block on Vitinha's curling effort; efficient distribution rarely wasted possession.

Pedri

7.0

Influential display featuring an early block on Neto and a dangerous strike that drew an exceptional diving save.

Dani Olmo

7.1

Primary creative outlet whose powerful curling shot was sensationally blocked by Rúben Dias; headed wide from close range earlier.

Lamine Yamal

6.9

Caused problems with direct running; forced save from Costa with curling effort and beat Semedo with sharp skill.

Álex Baena

6.6

Close-range rebound brilliantly saved by Costa; delivered set-pieces into dangerous areas before his 75th-minute substitution.

Mikel Oyarzabal

5.9

Led the line but missed significant one-on-one chance in ninth minute, shooting wide when well-placed to score.

Ferran Torres

7.6

Decisive impact from the bench with the assist for Merino's winner; sharp turn and perfectly-weighted through pass.

Mikel Merino

8.7

Delivered the match-defining moment with a composed left-footed finish in the 91st minute to send Spain through.

Fabián Ruiz

6.2

Entered at 85 minutes and helped Spain maintain possession; cleared a dangerous cross during Portugal's late push.

Borja Iglesias

5.5

Came on in the 97th minute with minimal time to impact proceedings; provided fresh legs to see out victory.

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Portugal vs Spain Player Ratings & Match Stats: Diogo Costa 8.3/10, Mikel Merino 8.7/10