The match concluded with a goal from a towering figure charging through the center-forward position, although it was not the player many had anticipated. In stoppage time, Mikel Merino seized a through-ball from Ferran Torres and, displaying remarkable composure amid a chaotic game, slotted the decisive goal past Diogo Costa. His celebration mirrored that of two years ago after his crucial goal against Germany at the Euros, as he ran around the corner flag, reminiscent of his father’s similar celebration for Osasuna in Stuttgart back in 1991.
Meanwhile, an actual center-forward appeared dejected. For Cristiano Ronaldo, this marked a poignant end. As the final whistle blew, he stood staring vacantly into space, a stark reminder of time catching up with him. He is the only player to have scored in six different World Cups, but this tournament will be his last. At 41, his remarkable career has reached its conclusion.
However, Ronaldo’s decline has been evident for at least four years, notably since the last-16 match at the Qatar World Cup where he was benched against Switzerland, allowing his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, to score a hat-trick in a resounding 6-1 victory. To claim he exited with a bang would be misleading; it was more of a whimper. This farewell felt painfully impotent, evoking sympathy. Ronaldo’s exceptional talent should not be overshadowed by a legacy tarnished by entitlement, as he should be celebrated for his greatness rather than remembered as a figure who hindered the emerging talents of a brilliant Portuguese midfield.
While Spain moved on to the quarter-finals, the spotlight remained on Ronaldo. Even in his moments of inactivity—especially now—he continues to dominate discussions. His press conference on Sunday was striking, filled with jests, sarcastic remarks, a sense of resignation about nearing the end of his career, and episodes of profound self-pity.
The comparison between him and Lionel Messi is simple and somewhat unfair, yet it holds weight. As Messi has aged and faced physical decline, he has adapted his game, conserving energy and positioning himself strategically on the pitch, appearing involved only at critical moments. In contrast, Ronaldo remains centrally positioned in his movements, often demanding the ball from teammates with an air of entitlement. His attempts to drift wide or deeper into play have rarely proven advantageous. The low point came towards the end of the second half when a counterattack faltered as Ronaldo, lacking the pace or stamina, had to retreat and pass the ball back to his right-back.
Familiar scenes unfolded: sluggish stepovers that only served as a reminder of his former brilliance, exasperated gestures towards teammates and officials, grimaces reflecting the unfairness of it all, and a couple of hopeful shots. Notably, his devoted followers expressed their frustration by booing Lamine Yamal while erupting in anger whenever Ronaldo went down, appealing to the referee frequently. Late in his career, he has increasingly resembled a child demanding attention on the playground.
Setting aside Ronaldo, which is quite the challenge in a World Cup that revels in celebrity culture, the match showcased a clash between two talented midfields, with Spain largely asserting dominance. There is a palpable sense of cohesion within the Spanish side, particularly as Rodri gradually returns to the form he displayed during the Euros, prior to his ACL injury. At times, he commands the game with an ease reminiscent of a parent playing with children.
Nuno Mendes had an impressive performance, effectively neutralizing Lamine Yamal once again. He even struck the crossbar with a deflected shot just before the halftime break. However, after he sustained an injury while blocking a shot from Yamal, the Barcelona teenager began to exert more influence. Still, concerns from the group stage lingered: this isn’t the Spain that boasted the cutting edge seen two years ago. Yamal, possibly due to injury, has been less impactful this tournament, and none of the players filling the left flank have posed the same threat as Nico Williams did.
Nevertheless, Spain had sufficient skill to secure victory, and they will advance to face either the United States or Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday. In stark contrast, Ronaldo, followed closely by a TV camera, trudged down the tunnel into obscurity. While resisting the inevitable can be admirable, this departure felt disappointingly lackluster.
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