Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup moment ends in tears after Spain defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo played his last World Cup match as Portugal were eliminated by Spain with a 0-1 defeat in Dallas. The Portuguese national team exited the tournament after conceding in stoppage time, sparking an emotional reaction from Ronaldo. The decisive goal came in the 121st minute, when Mikel Merino scored for Spain, ending Portugal’s hopes. The Arsenal midfielder’s strike followed a tense Iberian derby that saw Ronaldo deliver a fiery pre-match press conference, confirming that the 2026 World Cup would be his final tournament.

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Portugal’s elimination means Ronaldo’s World Cup career may have concluded without a world title. The 41-year-old has made 233 appearances for the Portuguese national team, scoring 146 goals. His World Cup tally includes a penalty against Croatia and two goals during the group stage against Uzbekistan.

Ronaldo's final World Cup duel fuels debate on his Portugal exit

Ronaldo’s World Cup journey began in 2006, when Portugal reached the semi-finals before losing to France. Since then, he has featured in every World Cup tournament but never progressed beyond the semi-finals.