Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign came to a sad end after a 1-0 loss to Spain in the Round of 16, bringing the curtain down on Cristiano RonaldoThe famous World Cup career. The five-time Ballon d’Or’s dream of lifting football’s biggest trophy ended without a World Cup title. After Portugal’s exit, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, an ardent admirer of Ronaldo, shared an emotional tribute to his idol on Instagram.Ronaldo walked off the pitch after his last World Cup appearance with a composed expression, briefly acknowledging Portuguese supporters with a wave. While clearly disappointed, the 41-year-old woman accepted the result with grace.“Sad, it’s normal after being eliminated like this,” said Ronaldo after the game.“I gave everything, I gave my best, and I left with a clear conscience. This is football, this is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.”After coming out, Siraj wrote an emotional tribute for her.“No matter what happens today, you will always be my inspiration, Cristiano. One game will never define your greatness. Thank you for inspiring millions around the world,” wrote Siraj in his Instagram Story.
Spain beat Portugal to reach the quarterfinals
Spain sealed their place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 1-0 win over Portugal at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fiercely contested Iberian derby appeared destined for extra time before Spain struck in the first minute of stoppage time. Substitute Mikel Merino caught the Portuguese defense off guard with a quick free-kick before running into the penalty area to meet Ferran Torres’ return pass and calmly finish past the goalkeeper in the 91st minute.The win sent Spain into the last eight while extending their impressive defensive run, as they recorded a sixth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament. For Portugal, however, the defeat marked the end of their World Cup journey and the final chapter in the story of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career on football’s biggest stage.