Portugal’s World Cup dream died in the cruelest way possible. A late dagger from Spain. A team that had held firm for 90 minutes suddenly undone. And two Manchester United players left to process another gut-wrenching international exit.
Bruno Fernandes started for Roberto Martinez. Diogo Dalot came off the bench. Neither could stop Mikel Merino’s 89th-minute strike that sent Spain to the quarterfinals and sent Portugal packing before the knockout rounds even really got going.
The game was tight. Chances came and went. Both sides had their moments but nobody could find the net. It felt destined for extra time. Then Merino slipped behind the defense, went one-on-one with the keeper, and kept his composure. Just like that, Spain was through.
Bernardo Silva nearly answered back. His header flashed over the bar. Close, but not close enough. The Selecao were done.
Fernandes played the full 90 and did what he always does. He created. He tried. He fired one shot, delivered two key passes, and completed four of his 10 long balls. He won his only aerial duel but only one of three ground duels. Five recoveries, two clearances. A busy night for the 31-year-old, but not a decisive one.
Dalot got 19 minutes. He was brought on to inject something, maybe a cross, maybe a run, maybe just a spark. It didn’t come. He won his only tackle, won one of two ground duels, and made three recoveries. He touched the ball 14 times and completed seven of eight passes. Efficient, but not impactful.
For Portugal, this is another painful World Cup exit. For Spain, it’s a ticket to the next round and a growing sense that this team might have something special. For Fernandes and Dalot, it’s back to Manchester. Pre-season starts in a few weeks. The kind of summer break they probably didn’t want this early.
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