World Cup Recap: Belgium Crush American Dreams, Spain Break Portuguese Hearts

The Round of 16 continued with two more matches delivering drama, heartbreak, and a quarter-final lineup taking shape. Spain edged past Portugal in a tense Iberian derby, while Belgium dismantled co-hosts USA to end all three host nations' tournament hopes. Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career likely ended in tears, and the American dream crumbled under Belgian precision. Two last-16 ties remain to complete the bracket. Portugal 0-1 Spain Substitute Mikel Merino wrote his name into Spanish folklore with a 91st-minute winner that broke Portuguese hearts. A tight, cagey affair saw few clear chances, with Nuno Mendes hitting the woodwork early on. Spain's defensive mastery continued — they have yet to concede in the tournament — but Lamine Yamal was unusually quiet, largely contained by Mendes. Ferran Torres provided the assist for Merino's decisive strike. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a tearful figure at full-time, likely ending his World Cup journey at 41. USA 1-4 Belgium Charles De Ketelaere's first-half brace put Belgium in command inside 33 minutes, his close-range finishes exposing a shaky American backline. Malik Tillman briefly gave the home crowd hope with a 31st-minute strike, but Hans Vanaken restored Belgium's two-goal cushion shortly after the restart, capitalising on an error from US keeper Matt Freese. Romelu Lukaku, one of several stars surprisingly left on the bench by Rudi Garcia, came on to add a fourth in stoppage time, punishing Chris Richards' error. Folarin Balogun, cleared to play after FIFA suspended his red-card ban, managed 91 ineffectual minutes. Belgium advance to face Spain in the quarter-finals on July 10. Upcoming Matches for July 7 (all times ET): 12PM ET — Argentina vs Egypt, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta 4PM ET — Switzerland vs Colombia, BC Place, Vancouver