Valdano praises Spain's solidity and De la Fuente's key changes

Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time goal sent Spain past Portugal 1-0 at Dallas Stadium and into the quarterfinals, a result that also pushed Cristiano Ronaldo out of the tournament. Jorge Valdano singled out Spain’s solidity and the impact of Luis de la Fuente’s substitutions, saying the team looked composed enough to handle a tense knockout night and still find a late answer when Portugal could not.

De la Fuente again leaned on the depth that has become Spain’s edge in this World Cup. Merino came off the bench and scored in the 90+1 minute, while the team’s structure held firm long enough to keep Portugal under pressure until the decisive moment. Valdano’s assessment fit the pattern Spain has built through the tournament: control first, then a timely shift from the bench when the match starts to tighten.

Belgium offered the contrast in Seattle. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken added a third and Romelu Lukaku finished the 4-1 rout in stoppage time as Belgium ended the United States’ World Cup dream at Seattle Stadium. Malik Tillman had briefly pulled the hosts level at 1-1 in the 31st minute, but Belgium answered 116 seconds later and never let Mauricio Pochettino’s side recover.

The defeat left the United States as the final co-host to exit, after Canada and Mexico had already bowed out in the Round of 16. Belgium now moves on to face Spain at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, giving the quarterfinal a sharp split-screen feel: one team advanced because its changes altered the game, while the other was exposed when its adjustments never took hold.