In a breathtaking evening, the Spanish national team settled the historic "Iberian Derby" in its favor, eliminating its Portuguese counterpart with a single clean goal in crunch time to secure its place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
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The match reached a pinnacle of excitement and rivalry, as expected, with both teams exchanging dominance amidst an intense tactical struggle that persisted throughout regular time. While all eyes were turning toward extra time, star player Mikel Merino refused to let the derby end without a decisive mark. He succeeded in snatching the precious winning goal for Spain in the (90+1') minute, sparking Spanish celebrations and delivering a cruel shock to Portuguese fans.
With this victory, the Spanish "Matador" proved its ability to settle major matches in difficult moments, confirming its continued run in the race for the global title. On the other hand, the Portuguese national team exits the tournament in a clash that felt like an "early final," following a heroic performance that was ultimately not enough against the cohesion of the Spanish defense and Merino's final sting.
