Star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, Portugal, has been eliminated from the Football World Cup. They were defeated by Spain 1-0 in the Round of 16 match on Tuesday. Following this defeat, 41-year-old Ronaldo played his last World Cup match.
As he left the Dallas Stadium, fans stood up to honour the Portugal striker. He greeted the fans with a serious face, making it clear that he wanted to end his World Cup career with a victory but unfortunately could not do the same.
After the loss, Ronaldo became disappointed and started crying. (Credits: Reuters)
Fans applauded and honoured Ronaldo as he accepted the greetings after the match (Credits: Reuters)
Lamine Yamal checks on Ronaldo after the match
After the last FIFA World Cup match of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career, Spain’s future star and winger Lamine Yamal checked on the Portugal striker and hugged him after the match.
Lamine Yamal hugged Ronaldo after match (Credits: Reuters)
Last World Cup for Ronaldo but not last international game
In the post-match presser, Ronaldo said, “I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best, and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.”
When asked about his future with Portugal and any comment on it, Ronaldo further said, “I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment”, denying any immediate call representing his nation onwards.
Rodri and Bernardo Silva’s heated exchange on the field
During the Round of 16 clash, Spain’s Rodri and Bernardo Silva had an intense exchange on the field as the Portuguese ballers were struggling to score a goal against Spain’s goalkeeper.
Spain sets world record for not conceding goals in 6 consecutive games
Spain has become the team with the most consecutive matches without conceding a goal in World Cup history. Spain has not conceded a goal in its sixth consecutive match. Spain broke the record of Italy (1990) and Switzerland (2006-10). Neither team had conceded any goals in 5-5 consecutive World Cup matches.
Spain’s clean sheet streak began with a 0-0 draw against Morocco in the pre-quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. However, Morocco advanced in that match on penalties. In the current World Cup, Spain played a goalless draw against Cape Verde in the group stage, after which they secured a spot in the quarterfinals by keeping clean sheets in four consecutive matches.
Goalkeeper Simon broke a 35-year-old record
29-year-old goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new World Cup record by not conceding a goal for 609 consecutive minutes. He surpassed the 517-minute record of Italian legendary goalkeeper Walter Zenga in a knockout match against Austria. Simon had conceded a 2-1 goal against Japan in the 2022 World Cup.
Simon broke the record of Italy’s legendary goalkeeper Walter Zenga.
Simon made two saves against Ronaldo
Simon thwarted two attempts by Cristiano Ronaldo in the first half against Portugal. This included a spectacular diving save, when he caught the ball with both hands while in the air. Simon has faced very little challenge so far in this World Cup.
Against Austria, none of the opposing team’s shots was on target, while throughout the tournament, before the Portugal match, he had only had to make four saves. Spain has now become one of the strongest contenders in the World Cup title race, thanks to this strong defence.
Ronaldo played his first World Cup in 2006
Ronaldo made his debut in the 2006 World Cup. In the same tournament, he led Portugal to the semi-finals, which was the best outing in his World Cup career. In the 2018 World Cup, he scored a memorable hat-trick against Spain in a group stage match. That match, which ended 3-3, is considered one of the most thrilling encounters in World Cup history.
Belgium crush USA in Round of 16 match
Belgium secured a place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a thumping 4-1 victory over the United States at Seattle Stadium, riding on a brace from Charles De Ketelaere and a late goal from Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku scored in his third consecutive FIFA World Cup match for the first time in his career, while De Ketelaere was named Player of the Match after his two-goal performance.
USA final co-host nation to be knocked out of FIFA 2026 World Cup
The defeat also confirmed the exit of the USA, making them the last of the three co-host nations to be eliminated after Canada and Mexico bowed out in the Round of 16.
Belgium looked threatening from the kickoff, with Timothy Castagne forcing USA goalkeeper Matt Freese into an early save before Youri Tielemans narrowly missed converting Dodi Lukebakio’s cross. The breakthrough came after Leandro Trossard’s dangerous delivery into the penalty area created confusion in the USA defence. Nicolas Raskin squared the ball across goal, allowing De Ketelaere to finish from close range.
Belgium players celebrating after scoring goal (Credits: Reuters)
The United States equalised in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick wrong-footed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, Belgium regained the lead less than two minutes later as Trossard delivered another cross from the left, with De Ketelaere heading home his second goal of the match.
Belgium extended their advantage just before the hour mark following a costly error by Freese, who rushed out of his penalty area but failed to clear the ball. De Ketelaere capitalised on the mistake before Vanaken fired a long-range effort that beat Tim Ream’s attempted block and rolled into the empty net.
USA players could not score a goal late in the game (Credits: Reuters)
USA fail to make comeback late in the game
The USA attempted to stage a comeback in the closing stages, with substitute Sebastian Berhalter firing wide and Courtois producing two saves to deny Folarin Balogun. However, Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory in stoppage time with a powerful solo run and composed finish. Belgium will now face Spain at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10 after the Spanish side knocked out Portugal in the Round of 16.
