The Portuguese national team bid farewell to the World Cup after losing to Spain 1-0.

What happened?

The defeat marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career, ending a trajectory of six participations in the tournament. The Portuguese striker played in his sixth World Cup, a feat achieved only by Lionel Messi and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Press analysis

The Portuguese and Spanish press highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo's farewell and criticized coach Roberto Martínez. The newspaper A Bola attributed the elimination mainly to coach Roberto Martínez, while Público ironicized the team's performance.

What's next?

The Portuguese national team is now preparing for the next match, against Wales, on September 24, 2026. The team comes from a sequence of 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 games, and seeks to maintain the good form. The last win of the Portuguese national team was against Croatia, 2-1, on July 2, 2026.

Consequences of the defeat

The defeat to Spain means that the Portuguese national team will not reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, played in his last World Cup and ended his World Cup career. The Portuguese and Spanish press highlighted the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo's farewell and the need for renewal in the Portuguese national team.