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Mikel Merino’s late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career
By SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at KGNS — Sitewide
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel 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.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino p...
Key takeaway Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010.
Why this matters in The Laredo
The World Cup match between Spain and Portugal may seem like a distant event to Laredo residents, but the outcome has implications for local soccer enthusiasts. With Spain advancing to the quarterfinals, fans in Laredo may be inspired to follow the team's journey, potentially sparking increased interest in the sport within the community. The city's own soccer leagues and teams may see a surge in participation and attendance, as locals are motivated by the success of international teams. Additionally, the fact that Spain will play its next match in Inglewood, California, may be of particular interest to Laredo residents who have family or cultural ties to the West Coast. As the World Cup continues, Laredo's soccer community will likely be watching closely, cheering on their favorite teams and players, and perhaps drawing inspiration from their skills and strategies.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel 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.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino p...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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