Spain, England Advance to World Cup Quarterfinals

Spain and England moved into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after overcoming stubborn challenges in two gripping Round of 16 encounters, keeping their hopes of lifting football’s biggest prize alive.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the knockout stage, Spain edged past neighboring rivals Portugal with a dramatic 1-0 victory , thanks to a late strike from substitute Mikel Merino . The European champions dominated possession for much of the contest and created several chances but were repeatedly frustrated by Portugal’s disciplined defensive display.

Just when the match appeared destined for extra time, Merino found the breakthrough in the 91st minute , sending Spanish fans into celebration and securing a place in the last eight. The result also brought an emotional end to the World Cup campaign of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo , who had indicated that the tournament would likely be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage.

With the victory, Spain advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the United States-Belgium clash. Led by a talented generation featuring Lamine Yamal , Rodri , and Mikel Oyarzabal , Spain continue to strengthen their reputation as one of the strongest contenders for the title.

Earlier, England survived a thrilling battle against co-hosts Mexico , registering a hard-fought 3-2 victory at the iconic Estadio Azteca . The match was delayed by adverse weather conditions but eventually lived up to expectations, producing high drama and end-to-end action.

England appeared to be in control before the contest took a dramatic turn when defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card, forcing the Three Lions to play with ten men. Despite the setback, Jude Bellingham produced a standout performance, scoring twice, while captain Harry Kane converted a crucial penalty to keep England ahead.

Mexico mounted a spirited comeback backed by a passionate home crowd, but England held firm to seal a memorable victory. The result ended Mexico’s impressive tournament run and set up a quarterfinal showdown between England and Norway , who stunned Brazil in another Round of 16 upset.

As the tournament enters its decisive phase, both Spain and England have demonstrated the resilience, quality and composure required to challenge for the 2026 FIFA World Cup crown. With tougher tests ahead, the race for football’s ultimate prize is gathering momentum.