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Merino comes up clutch! Spain's super-sub sends Portugal & CR7 packing

Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner as Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in an unexpectedly drab World Cup round-of-16 clash on Monday. The Arsenal midfielder was introduced in the 85th minute and won the game in the 91st with a tidy finish that was just about deserved. La Roja were ineffective for long stretches, and created little, but Merino proved to be the difference-maker.

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Milla reacts to Ronaldo & Messi breaking his WC record

Cameroon legend Roger Milla has delivered a fascinating verdict on the enduring brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as they continue to defy biological limits at the 2026 World Cup. The man who famously holds the record for the oldest scorer in tournament history has admitted that while playing until 50 remains unrealistic, he is ready to see his historic milestone surpassed by the two modern icons.

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Last dance? Ronaldo snaps back at retirement questions

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a defiant message to his critics while confirming that the 2026 World Cup will indeed be his final appearance on football's grandest stage. Speaking ahead of Portugal's high-stakes knockout clash with Spain, the 41-year-old insisted that he remains the master of his own destiny.

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Emulating 'gods' almost impossible for Yamal, Mbappe & Haaland

The meteoric rise of young stars like Lamine Yamal has reignited the debate about who could inherit the throne left by the two greatest legends of modern football. However, former player Tonito warns that reaching the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo requires a consistency that few in history have managed to demonstrate over decades.

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Spain's unsung hero Oyarzabal is the ideal anti-Ronaldo

Mikel Oyarzabal was one of five Real Sociedad players in Spain's Euro 2024 squad. No other club had more. But neither Oyarzabal nor his fellow Basques made a song and dance about their role in Spain's success in Germany. "That would be us," he told The Guardian. "[We] don't like being in the spotlight." It's getting harder and harder for him to avoid it, though.

Portugal v Croatia: Round Of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

Gavi makes interesting argument against Ronaldo critics

Barcelona star Gavi has offered a staunch defence of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that those who choose to write off the legendary forward are doing so from the outside. As Spain prepare for a heavyweight World Cup showdown against Portugal, the midfield engine believes the veteran remains a match-winning threat.

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WC26 Power Rankings: Argentina lose top spot!

The real World Cup is finally under way! After a group phase almost completely devoid of jeopardy because of the tournament's farcical format, the first batch of knockout games treated us to some long overdue drama, with Germany and Netherlands among the big names to fall in the round of 32. A couple more heavyweights could have been kayoed too, though.

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‘Run 1,000 marathons!’ - Ronaldo may have another WC one in him

Cristiano Ronaldo has already run “1,000 marathons” over the course of his career, but Louis Saha has told GOAL that the Portuguese GOAT may have another left in him at the 2030 World Cup. At 41 years of age, the evergreen frontman is currently gracing FIFA’s flagship event for the sixth time. Said tournament will be heading to his homeland in four years’ time.

Portugal v Croatia: Round of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA defend VAR hair flick call as Portugal advance

FIFA have explained why Croatia's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal was ruled out after VAR intervened. Connected Ball Technology detected the slightest touch from Igor Matanovic in the build-up, allowing officials to confirm an offside offence and sending Portugal through while Croatia crashed out.

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Explained: Why Ronaldo gets more criticism than Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo retains the ability to make “people shut their mouth”, Louis Saha has told GOAL, with a former Manchester United team-mate of CR7 explaining why the Portuguese superstar attracts more criticism than fellow GOAT Lionel Messi. Both men are currently on 2026 World Cup duty, with more questions being put to an evergreen European frontman than his eternal South American rival is facing.

Portugal v Croatia: Round of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

Portugal felt Diogo Jota's presence in Croatia win - Martinez

Roberto Martinez has revealed how the memory of the late Diogo Jota inspired Portugal during their dramatic World Cup knockout victory over Croatia. The national team manager pointed out several emotional coincidences linking the narrow triumph directly to the former forward, who tragically passed away alongside his brother in a car accident last year.

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Ronaldo gets first KO goal but Ramos plays hero for Portugal

Gonacalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner after a chaotic contest between Portugal and Croatia, with Roberto Martinez's side squeaked out a 2-1 victory to advance to the World Cup Round of 16. Croatia scored first, but Portugal came from behind. Ronaldo scored once from the penalty spot and was replaced by Ramos, who delivered the match's biggest moment.