local
Merino's late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Ronaldo's World Cup career
By Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· July 6, 2026
· 4 min read
Mikel Merino was still on the bench in the final minutes of regulation, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente worried about hanging on to his substitutes as long as possible because of looming extra time.The Arsenal forward made all that fretting moot.Merino scored in the first minute of second-half...
Key takeaway 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.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
For Alamo Heights residents who follow international soccer, Mikel Merino's late goal is a thrilling development, especially given Spain's advancement to the quarterfinals. The fact that Spain will play its next match in Inglewood, California, may spark interest among local fans who have connections to the West Coast or have followed the team's progress. As the World Cup continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Alamo Heights soccer enthusiasts can look forward to watching Spain's upcoming match, potentially against the United States, and see how Merino's contributions will impact the team's performance. The city's own soccer community may also draw inspiration from Merino's versatility and determination, which helped him recover from injury and score a crucial goal on the global stage. With Spain's next match just around the corner, local fans can anticipate a exciting matchup and possibly even gather to watch the game together, fostering a sense of community and shared interest in the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mikel Merino was still on the bench in the final minutes of regulation, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente worried about hanging on to his substitutes as long as possible because of looming extra time.The Arsenal forward made all that fretting moot.Merino scored in the first minute of second-half...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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