Spain defeats Ronaldo and Portugal in the World Cup
Curry Finn beat Spain vs. Portugal, allowing Spain to advance to the quarter-finals and potentially playing Ronaldo’s last World Cup match.
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The quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup will begin on Thursday, July 9, with France facing Morocco in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.
But before we look to what’s to come, let’s take a look back at the mayhem in the Round of 16. It was a four-day period that brought more drama, both good and bad. We are here to focus on the good.
Below are the top 5 best moments from the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
5. Shootout drama between Switzerland and Colombia
For over 120 minutes, this match was a real dud (especially compared to the epic Argentina vs. Egypt match that preceded it). But in the end, it’s one-on-one shooter versus goalie, and the spot-on-the-line tension of the quarterfinals makes the shootout fascinating.
The penalty shootout between Colombia and Switzerland in Vancouver went all the way to the fifth round when final kicker Ruben Vargas miscalculated Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas (no relation). Switzerland won the penalty shootout 4-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years.
4. Super sub takes Spain to quarterfinals
In what will be remembered as the last World Cup match for gaming legend Cristiano Ronaldo, it was the somewhat lesser-known Mikel Merino who decided the heavyweight showdown between the rivals from the Iberian Peninsula.
Merino came on for Spain in the 84th minute and was the hero of the match six minutes later. Just seconds into stoppage time, Merino collected a nifty pass from Ferran Torres and beat Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa for the winning goal.
3. Erling Haaland’s heroic performance leaves a shocker
Brazil had to be sacrificed to keep the fun and joy of Erling Haaland and upstart Norway in the spotlight for at least one more World Cup.
Haaland had his best performance in World Cup history, a tour de force effort as Norway experienced World Cup heights never before experienced by the Nordic nations. Haaland finally scored in a close game that remained deadlocked at 0-0 for nearly 80 minutes. The 6ft 5in opponent’s nightmare headed in Andreas Schjelderup’s cross to put Norway ahead. Ten minutes later, Haaland scored his second goal, ensuring Norway’s place in the quarter-finals. Norway shocked the five-time World Cup winners behind the heroics of Golden Boot candidate Haaland.
2. Messi and Argentina come together for epic victory
This match had it all…non-stop action, an underdog trying to pull off an upset against the reigning world champions, a dramatic comeback, controversy, and of course the GOAT of soccer.
Mostafa Zico’s goal in the 67th minute put them 2-0 behind Egypt, and it looked like the end for the defending World Cup champions was over. Instead, Lionel Messi and team made an epic comeback. Cristian Romero pulled Argentina within one point in the 79th minute, before Messi equalized just four minutes later (the goal extended Messi’s World Cup record to 21). Then, in stoppage time of the second half, Enzo Fernandes scored the winning goal, sending the Atlanta crowd, many of them pro-Argentine supporters, into a frenzy.
The match took such an emotional toll on Messi that the greatest player of all time appeared overcome with emotion after the match.
1. Aztec Madness
This match was a chaotic mess. An instant classic and the biggest ‘where were you when’ match of the World Cup to date. Where do I start with this thriller?
England fans had to watch for nearly 45 minutes as the Three Lions precariously held on to a 3-2 lead as their team bunkered and forced Mexico to take shots on goal. England held on, but there was a lot of excitement before, during and after the game.
First, Estadio Azteca was the site of Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, and of course the “Goal of the Century,” when Argentina defeated England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup. England had that history, plus the almost unrivaled reputation that Mexico enjoyed with the Aztecs. Its altitude and fan enthusiasm make it a stronghold for El Tri. There’s a lot of lore to overcome.
In the match, Jude Bellingham scored two goals two minutes apart to give England a 2-0 lead. However, Mexico quickly fought back and entered the match with a goal from Julián Quiñones in the 42nd minute. The final moments of the first half were a foreshadowing of things to come for England as Three Lions keeper Jordan Pickford produced his best performance of this World Cup so far, scoring Mexico’s goal.
When England’s Jarrell Quansah was sent off the pitch with a red card in the 54th minute, the tide of the match appeared to have changed. However, Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 60th minute to put England back within two points. After that, it was all about Mexico. Raul Jimenez converted his own penalty in the 69th minute and it looked like Mexico would at least score an equalizer, but it wasn’t to be. Pickford and others defended resolutely as England held on to what has gone down as one of the most famous victories in history.
