local
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 Laredo News
For Laredoans who follow international soccer, the news of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career coming to an end may resonate deeply, particularly among those with ties to the Iberian Peninsula. The city's own cultural heritage, with its strong Hispanic roots, may have drawn some fans to cheer for Spain or Portugal in the tournament. As Spain advances to the quarterfinals, locals may take notice of the team's impressive defensive record, with six straight shutouts at the World Cup. This achievement may spark interesting conversations among soccer enthusiasts in Laredo , who can appreciate the skill and strategy involved in such a feat. With Spain set to play in California on Friday, some fans in Laredo may be eager to watch the match and see how La Roja performs against its next opponent.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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
Get more Laredo News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by SCHUYLER DIXON , Associated Press at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter