Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ends in heartbreak courtesy of late Spain winner

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Cristiano Ronaldo's final FIFA World Cup came to a premature end thanks to a Round of 16 defeat to Spain -Credit:Steve Limentani/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images


Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup dream was shattered as Spain's Mikel Merino struck in the closing moments of their Round of 16 game to end Portugal's tournament.

All attention was fixed on Ronaldo and Portugal in Texas after the multi-time Ballon d'Or winner, 41, confirmed this would be his final appearance at a World Cup finals.

Ronaldo's last bid to conquer the world ended with a whimper rather than a bang as Portugal were eliminated late by Spain in a contest that will fade quickly from memory, as per The Mirror.

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Merino materialized at the death with a composed finish to spark a frantic finale as Portugal desperately searched for the goal that would keep their World Cup aspirations alive.

Yet those closing few minutes stood in stark contrast to the hour and a half that had come before.

For the majority of the match, it appeared as though regulation time alone would be insufficient to produce a decisive outcome.

Spain dominated possession and carved out the stronger opportunities but were unable to convert them into a goal, while Nuno Mendes rattled the crossbar for Portugal after his thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty area deflected off a white shirt.

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Resolute Portuguese defending denied Dani Olmo from breaking the deadlock late on as Spain intensified their efforts to settle the game within regulation time.

Merino then emerged in the 91st minute to knock out Portugal and Ronaldo. It certainly wasn't the kind of display that fans have grown accustomed to seeing from Spain - they were undoubtedly forced to scrap and grind for the win.

That's precisely what they accomplished, and when the opportunity arrived for them to be ruthless, they were. Merino, as he has done repeatedly for Arsenal in recent seasons, positioned himself in space and unleashed a superb strike to propel his country into the quarter-finals.

Remarkably, it represents a significant step up from their latest tournaments. Since claiming the World Cup in 2010, Spain have failed to progress past the Round of 16, even crashing out at the group stage in Brazil.

And while they haven't booked their place in the last eight with flair, few of Spanish descent will be overly concerned.

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