By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
…Christiana Ronaldo weeps on his way home
LA ROJA of Spain for the umpteenth time defeated The Quincunxes of Portugal by a lone goal in world famous clash called The Iberian Derby at the round of 16 game of the 2026 World Cup at Dallas Stadium on Monday night.
Gunners (Arsenal FC) midfielder, Mikel Merino gunned down the Portuguese in injury time of 90+1st minute while fans were bracing for extra time when Ferran Torres found him to score the vital goal.
There were no flowers for the Portuguese who were outclassed in every department of the game.
Spain had 15-10 shots at goal; 6-3 on target; dominated play with 64-36% ball possessions; stringing 522-434 passes leading even in foul plays 13-9 and corner kicks 7-3 but Portugal got 2-1 yellow cards from Ref Anthony Tailor of Britain.
The Iberian Derby started in 1921 when Portugal lost her first international friendly in Madrid 1-3. Both sides met 41 times Spain won 17 times, Portugal won 6 times and there were 18 draws.
At the world cup they met 6 times (including qualifiers) Spain won four times and drew twice meaning Portugal never defeated Spain like England never defeated Norway. So precedence is also in football.
At the 2018 world cup of 15th June at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Christiana Ronaldo then in his elements scored a hatrick (three goals in a match) and Diego Dacosta scored a brace in the 3-3 encounter, Spain won 1-0 at South Africa 2010. Most humiliating loss for Spain was on 11th March 1934 which was 9-0 in a friendly.
Spain ranked 2nd in the world in 17 appearances only won the world cup once at South Africa 2010. Portugal ranked 5th in the world in 9 appearances only had a Bronze in England 1966 when they beat Soviet Union 2-1. Legendary tallest footballer in the world, Eusebio scored a penalty in the 12th minute of that match.
Spain will meet the winner of the USA versus Belgium round of 16 game at the quarterfinal in Inglewood on 10th July.
Other up-coming round of 16 matches are USA versus Belgium at 1,00am tomorrow Tuesday at Seattle; Argentina against Egypt at 5,00pm in Atlanta and Switzerland to face Columbia at Vancouver in Canada at 9,00pm.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #EUFA
#RFEF #FPF #NFF.
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