Portugal fell 1-0 to Spain in the last‑16 of the 2026 World Cup, with Mikel Merino delivering a late penalty that sent Dallas into mourning. The 41‑year‑old Cristiano Ronaldo sobbed in the stands as his international career closed on a personal record: a world‑record 976 goals for club and country and participation in six World Cups.

Ronaldo finished the tournament with three goals, two of them a double against Uzbekistan and a penalty against Croatia. He logged 18 shots and created only one chance for a teammate, a stark contrast to the 366 players who touched the ball more often. Despite his longevity, Portugal Multimedia metrics show he remains the sole player to score in six World Cups, ranking ninth on the all‑time goal list.

Roberto Martinez announced his resignation immediately after the match, praising Ronaldo as a “football icon.” Critics like Chris Sutton lambasted the coach for keeping a veteran on the bench and for failing to leverage a squad that included former PSG stars Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and João Neves.

Portugal’s exit eliminates them from the remainder of the tournament and forces a reconsideration of their strategy for future competitions, including the 2028 European Championships. The loss also signals the end of Ronaldo’s World Cup narrative and may trigger a rebuilding phase for Portuguese football.