Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion at the final whistle, tears streaming down his face as Portugal’s World Cup hopes evaporated with a late 1-0 defeat to Spain on Monday evening. Afterwards, the 41-year-old confirmed what many had suspected: this was his last appearance at the tournament. “It’s true, this was my last World Cup,” he said. “There will be time to think about everything else, to be with my family, and I want to not make decisions when I’m heated. Life goes on.” He insisted he valued his Euro 2016 triumph just as highly: “Before Cristiano, Portugal did not win a single title in history. I won Euro 2016, which for me is like winning a World Cup. I leave with a clear conscience and having given my best for Portugal.”
The defeat came courtesy of a goal from Mikel Merino, which sent Spain into the quarter-finals for the first time since they won the competition in 2010. But it was not Spain’s attack that proved decisive; it was their remarkable defensive record. Luis de la Fuente’s side have become the first team in World Cup history to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive matches, breaking the previous mark set by Italy in 1990 and Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. They have now gone 10 hours and nine minutes without conceding in the competition, a streak stretching back to a goalless draw in the last 16 in 2022 when Morocco advanced on penalties. “This is the result and fruits of collective work – great defensive solidity of course,” said De la Fuente. “There is solidarity, effort, sacrifice and everybody runs for one another.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo confirms final World Cup after Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain, who extend record defensive run.”
At the heart of that defence is goalkeeper Unai Simon, who extended his own record to 609 minutes without letting in a goal at the World Cup. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told BBC Sport: “This team knows how to compete. It is a group that is committed, they all think the same way.” For Portugal, the disappointment was acute. Bruno Fernandes said: “I do not think we were successful. I mean, we should at least have gone a bit further. It’s a disappointing moment. We lost to one of the title contenders, one of the favourites.” Portugal have since commenced a search for a new manager after Roberto Martinez departed, a decision Ronaldo defended: “I loved working with Roberto Martínez, a great human being, a great coach. What he did for Portugal was very significant.”
Spain now face either the USA or Belgium in the quarter-finals, with a semi-final in Los Angeles on Friday evening. Ronaldo, meanwhile, will turn his attention to club football with Al-Nassr, who recently appointed Ange Postecoglou as head coach.