Ronaldo’s World Cup Farewell Ends in 1-0 Defeat to Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup is over. Spain scored the only goal of the match in the 90th minute to eliminate Portugal in a tense Round of 16 clash. It ended what the 41-year-old had confirmed just 24 hours earlier would be his last tournament with the national team.

The match was a deadlocked battle for the full 90 minutes, with neither side able to break through until Spain found the decisive moment in stoppage time to seal a place in the quarterfinals, where they will face either the United States or Belgium on July 10th in Los Angeles.

For Ronaldo, the defeat brought a quiet close to a career that spanned six World Cups.

He leaves the tournament having become the first player in history to score in six consecutive World Cups, netting three goals across Portugal’s campaign, including a penalty against Croatia in the Round of 32, his first ever knockout-stage goal.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience, not 100%, but 1,000%. Because I’ve given everything in football,” Ronaldo had said on Sunday.