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Merino crucifies Portugal in the 91st minute: Spain takes

By OnzeActu · · 6 min read

Merino crucifies Portugal in the 91st minute: Spain takes

In a tense clash between Portugal and Spain, Mikel Merino gave La Roja the lead in the 91st minute, taking advantage of a bright pass from Ferran Torres to deceive Diogo Costa. The late goal, which came with just five minutes of added time remaining, sealed the fate of the match and brought Spain closer to a crucial success on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

According to Tuttomercatoweb.

Context

Former Real Sociedad player Mikel Merino proved his worth by scoring a decisive goal against Portugal. This match is part of preparations for the World Cup, where every performance counts for the national selections. Merino, as a midfielder, plays a key role in the dynamics of the Spanish team, especially in such close encounters.

Why it matters

This goal from Mikel Merino is crucial for Spain, as it strengthens their position in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. By beating Portugal, a always formidable team, La Roja demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure, which is essential for future competitions. This match also highlights the importance of players like Ferran Torres and Merino, who can make the difference in decisive moments.

Key points

  • Merino crucifies Portugal in the 91st minute: Spain takes.
  • In a tense clash between Portugal and Spain, Mikel Merino gave La Roja the lead in the 91st minute, taking advantage of a bright pass from Ferran Torres to deceive Diogo Costa.
  • Merino remains central to Spain's plans.

In the anticipated duel between Portugal and Spain, counting for preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the suspense was maintained until the last minutes. The two Iberian selections, always very competitive during these major meetings, offered an intense encounter with few spaces and a lot of commitment in midfield.

For a long time, defenses took precedence over attacks, with Diogo Costa vigilant on the Portuguese side and Unai Simón attentive on the Spanish side. However, the face of the meeting changed at the dawn of added time. While the score seemed frozen and the supporters of both camps were preparing to experience a tense end to the match, La Roja was able to find the fault.

In the 91st minute, winger Ferran Torres perfectly pierced the Portuguese defense with a sharp pass. His ball slipped between the lines found Mikel Merino, who appeared alone against Diogo Costa. The former Real Sociedad player did not tremble, adjusting the Portuguese goalkeeper with a sharp strike at the near post. The goal freed the entire Spanish squad, who were able to celebrate this late and crucial goal.

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There were only five minutes of added time left to play, too little for a standing KO Portugal who failed to react at the very end of the game. This late opening goal probably sealed the fate of the match, illustrating once again Spain's ability to make the difference in key moments.

This success, acquired in the final moments, is further proof of the experience and mastery of the Spanish selection in matches where the pressure is maximum. For Portugal, it is a hard blow which reminds us that the high level is sometimes played on details and flashes of genius. Spain, thanks to Merino and Ferran Torres, is sending a strong signal in this World Cup year.

This match will remain as an example of realism and self-sacrifice: controlling the game in the final minutes, transforming the slightest opening into an opportunity, and imposing the law when everything seems to be over. La Roja thus confirms its place among the serious contenders for the next World Cup.

The rest

With this victory, Spain is getting closer to its goal of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The next meetings will be decisive in refining their team and their strategy. For their part, Portugal will have to analyze this defeat to correct their mistakes and prepare for their next challenges, particularly with a view to qualifying for the world tournament.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the match between Spain and Portugal?

Spain scored a decisive goal in the 91st minute thanks to Mikel Merino, who took advantage of a pass from Ferran Torres to beat Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Who confirmed the decisive goal for Spain?

The decisive goal was scored by Mikel Merino, with an assist from Ferran Torres.

Why was this match important now?

This match was preparation for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the competitiveness of the two Iberian selections.

What are the consequences of this goal for Portugal?

The late goal probably sealed the fate of the match, leaving Portugal unable to react in the final stages.

last minutes.

How did the goalkeepers perform during the match?

Diogo Costa was vigilant on the Portuguese side, while Unai Simón also showed a good performance for Spain before the decisive goal.

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