{"id":7078785,"date":"2026-10-07T01:59:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T01:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7078785"},"modified":"2026-10-07T01:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T01:59:15","slug":"world-cup-2026-round-of-16-spain-end-ronaldos-dream-as-belgium-eliminate-usa-football-news-at-1000goals-com-football-betting-news-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7078785","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026 Round of 16: Spain End Ronaldo\u2019s Dream as Belgium Eliminate USA | Football news at 1000Goals.com: Football Betting, News, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"World<\/a><\/div>\n

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16<\/strong> continued with two more exciting knockout matches. Spain ended Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s dream of lifting the World Cup after edging Portugal 1-0, while Belgium produced a dominant display to defeat co-hosts the United States 4-1.<\/p>\n

Merino the Hero as Spain Edge Portugal<\/h2>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal<\/strong> entered the match hoping to keep their World Cup dream alive, but Spain proved to be another difficult obstacle in an intense Iberian derby.<\/p>\n

Both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities during the opening 45 minutes, with their organized defensive displays cancelling each other out.<\/p>\n

After the break, the attacking intensity increased, yet neither team could find the breakthrough for much of the second half. Just when extra time looked inevitable, Spain finally produced the decisive moment.<\/p>\n

Substitute Mikel Merino broke through Portugal\u2019s defence before calmly beating Diogo Costa to score the winning goal late in the match.<\/p>\n

Portugal pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Roberto Mart\u00ednez\u2019s side could not find a way past Spain\u2019s resilient defence.<\/p>\n

As a result, Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong>\u2018s World Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end, with the 2026 edition expected to be his final appearance on football\u2019s biggest stage. Meanwhile, Spain progressed to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Belgium.<\/p>\n

Belgium End USA\u2019s World Cup Run<\/h2>\n

Elsewhere, the third co-host nation also exited the tournament as Belgium comfortably defeated the United States 4-1.<\/p>\n

After Canada and Mexico were eliminated earlier in the Round of 16, the USA became the final host nation to bow out of the FIFA World Cup 2026.<\/p>\n

The return of Folarin Balogun from suspension failed to inspire Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s side, who produced arguably their poorest performance of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Belgium\u2019s tactical decision to leave Kevin De Bruyne<\/strong> and J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku on the bench paid off brilliantly. The Red Devils controlled the game and deservedly took a 2-1 lead into half-time.<\/p>\n

Charles De Ketelaere<\/strong> starred with two goals before a costly mistake from goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed Hans Vanaken to extend Belgium\u2019s advantage. Romelu Lukaku then completed the convincing victory with a stoppage-time goal.<\/p>\n

Belgium now join Morocco, France, Norway, England, and Spain in the quarter-finals. Up next, Rudi Garcia\u2019s men face Spain in what promises to be one of the standout matches of the last eight.<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udfc6 FIFA World Cup 2026 \u2013 Round of 16 Results (Updated)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/th>\nMatch<\/th>\nResult<\/th>\nGoalscorers<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
4 July<\/td>\nMorocco vs Canada<\/td>\n3-0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u26bd Azzedine Ounahi (50\u2032, 82\u2032), Brahim D\u00edaz (90\u2032)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4 July<\/td>\nFrance vs Paraguay<\/td>\n1-0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u26bd Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 (70\u2032 pen.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5 July<\/td>\nNorway vs Brazil<\/td>\n2-1<\/strong><\/td>\n\u26bd Erling Haaland (79\u2032, 90\u2032) | Neymar (90+10\u2032 pen.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5 July<\/td>\nMexico vs England<\/td>\n2-3<\/strong><\/td>\n\u26bd Jude Bellingham (36\u2032, 38\u2032), Harry Kane (60\u2032 pen.) | Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones (42\u2032), Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez (69\u2032 pen.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6 July<\/td>\nSpain vs Portugal<\/td>\n1-0<\/strong><\/td>\n\u26bd Mikel Merino (90+1\u2032)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6 July<\/td>\nBelgium vs United States<\/td>\n4-1<\/strong><\/td>\n\u26bd Charles De Ketelaere (9\u2032, 33\u2032), Hans Vanaken (57\u2032), Romelu Lukaku (90+3\u2032) | Malik Tillman (31\u2032)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udfc6 FIFA World Cup 2026 \u2013 Quarter-final Fixtures (Confirmed So Far)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date (Local)<\/th>\nFixture<\/th>\nVenue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Thursday, July 9<\/td>\nFrance vs Morocco<\/td>\nBoston Stadium, Boston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Friday, July 10<\/td>\nSpain vs Belgium<\/td>\nLos Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saturday, July 11<\/td>\nNorway vs England<\/td>\nMiami Stadium, Miami Gardens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n