Spain ended Portugal’s run with a 1-0 victory in the round of 16 at Dallas Stadium, sending the 41-year-old icon into retirement without the one trophy that eluded him.
Substitute Mikel Merino struck in stoppage time. He reacted quickest inside the box and fired home.
Ronaldo had confirmed before the match that this would be his last World Cup. “This will be my last World Cup, but let’s hope tomorrow isn’t my last game,” he told reporters. It was.
He managed only a few half-chances. Portugal, so often feared, struggled to break down the Spanish defence. The game appeared destined for extra time. Then Merino struck, sparking wild celebrations. Ronaldo dropped to his haunches.
Ronaldo leaves the World Cup stage having scored three goals in the tournament. He became the first player to score at six different World Cups. He finishes with 146 goals in 232 appearances for his country.
For a man who has won everything at club level, the World Cup remained the only mountain he could not conquer. “I’m not missing anything; God has been generous to me,” Ronaldo said.
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The Spain match was his 233rd and final appearance for Portugal. He retires without the one trophy that would have sealed his claim as the undisputed greatest of all time.
The last dance ended not with a trophy, but with a whimper. The greatest showman football has ever seen took his final bow.
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