Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Spain have entered the quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16 fixture in Dallas early Tuesday morning.
Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the match in the first minute of second half injury time.
The Arsenal forward collected a pass from Ferran Torres at the edge of the box, ran inside the box and fired a low shot to the left past Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa.
The 2010 champions will now meet the winner of the match between co-hosts US and Belgium in Los Angeles.
Both sides had the opportunity to score in the first half. Mikel Oyarzabal spurned Spain’s best chance as he shot wide after connecting to Dani Olmo’s superb pass. Minutes later Alex Bina’s curler was tipped round the post by the Portuguese keeper.
Portugal also had the chance but Nuno Mendes’s deflected shot found the crossbar.
The second half saw fewer chances as both sides took cautious approach. But as the match appeared headed for the extra time, Torres and Merino combined to take Spain through.
