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Mikel Merino’s late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career
By SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino p...
Key takeaway Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010.
Why this matters in The Midland
The World Cup match between Spain and Portugal may seem like a distant event to Midland residents, but the outcome has implications for local soccer fans. With Spain advancing to the quarterfinals, they will face either the United States or Belgium, potentially sparking interest in the tournament among Permian Basin residents who follow the US team. The match also marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career, an event that may resonate with local soccer enthusiasts who have followed his illustrious career. As the World Cup continues, Midland's soccer community may find itself drawn into the excitement, with potential watch parties and gatherings at local sports bars and restaurants. The Spain-US or Spain-Belgium match could be a particularly compelling event for local fans, especially if the US team advances, and may attract a sizable audience in the Midland area.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino p...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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