Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup story looks to be over after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16.

Billed as a meeting of the titans, this wasn’t a match you’ll be seeing on FIFA’s highlight reels anytime soon. A cagey affair came to life late on when Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored a 90+1st-minute winner.

Ronaldo couldn’t lead his team to victory over the reigning European champions, and it now looks likely he’ll retire from international football. The 41-year-old failed to impress at Dallas Stadium, but he’s not the player many are blaming for the Portuguese making an early exit.

Portugal 0-1 Spain: Silva Stutters in Dallas

Hannah McKay via Action Images via Reuters

A dull encounter suddenly came to life when Ferran Torres played Merino through on goal, and he calmly slotted past Diogo Costa. The Spanish weren’t at their best, but they were the better side on the night.

Ronaldo and Co pushed for a last-gasp equaliser in stoppage time, only for Bernardo Silva to waste a golden opportunity. A dangerous cross from Francisco Conceição found the former Manchester City attacker, but he headed over Unai Simon’s bar.

Silva’s frustrations boiled over, and the Real Madrid new boy exchanged words with ex-City teammate Rodri after his miss. The 31-year-old came on late in the game and failed to come up trumps.

For Portugal, it’s another World Cup that’s gone begging, and a new era may be starting if Ronaldo announces his international retirement as expected. The old guard are starting to fade out, and that might even include Silva, whose reduced minutes during the tournament speak volumes.

Fans Blame Silva For Portugal Exit

Silva has been vital for Portugal over the years, earning 113 caps and starring for his country, albeit without major trophy success. Two Nations League wins are the only winners’ medals he has to show, and given their star-studded squad, that’s probably a failure.

Some felt Martinez’s men were among the favourites ahead of the World Cup, based on their midfield. They never looked like they would win the competition, and tonight’s loss to Spain highlighted many issues.

Silva’s late cameo appearance didn’t go down well with fans who felt he cost his side. One fan wrote: “Bernardo Silva Costa Portugal a last 8 space…..awful performance!”

Another supporter called him: “Bernardo Silva is the worst substitute in football history. He cost Portugal the tournament with just a few minutes after coming on.”

One gave a brutal assessment: “Bernardo Silva lost the game for Portugal disgraceful from the minute he went in.”

The ex-City man’s scrappy outing didn’t go unnoticed: “Bernardo Silva has just cost Portugal with his silly fouls.”

Another replied: “Bernardo Silva went to fund Portugal, lost his head and failed to find his origin in Spain.”

One fan said: “Bernardo Silva came on just to kick people, got a yellow card, give away free kicks which they conceded from, and cost his country and Ronaldo their World Cup dreams.”

This was echoed by another: “Yikes what a dreadful cameo from Bernardo Silva.”

Silva will now focus on a new challenge in Madrid after joining the La Liga giants as a free agent following his departure from City. The veteran playmaker enjoyed a trophy-laden career at the Etihad and bid farewell with legendary manager Pep Guardiola.

The inquest into Brazil’s shortcomings at the 2026 World Cup is already well underway, less than 24 hours after crashing out against Norway in the Round of 16.

Erling Haaland rose highest to head home the opener before smashing in a second to put the Europeans out of sight. Neymar ended his international career with a consolation penalty, but wasn’t able to prevent his country from being eliminated with a whimper.

So now the questions will inevitably come. Who was to blame for the ultimate failure on the biggest stage in world football? Was it Neymar himself? Carlo Ancelotti? Vinicius Junior? Gabriel Magalhaes?

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Back home in South America, there was very little left to the imagination when it came to who was in the firing line. Ancelotti, a five-time Champions League-winning coach, has had to take the majority of the heavy criticism.

Despite the consensus from some that Neymar didn’t deserve his place in the squad, Vinicius Junior shied away from a vital penalty vs Norway and Gabriel was manhandled by Haaland, the blame lies at the door of the manager.

A Brazilian columnist for UOL (per Mail Sport) explained the manager bowed to public pressure, writing: “In the final substitution, by bringing on Endrick and Neymar for the wingers, pandering to popular demand, he ruined the team. It wasn’t Neymar who died embracing Ancelotti, but Ancelotti who died embracing Neymar.”

Another reporter went on to add that it was the ‘worst performance of Ancelotti’s career with a top-level team’. They continued: “Carlo Ancelotti made the changes that ultimately ruined Brazil, especially with the introduction of Neymar.”

The Italian’s decision to call up an injury-prone 34-year-old ahead of Chelsea’s Joao Pedro appears to be a big point of contention at this summer’s tournament.

Another journalist, working for the same publication, labelled the performance of the Selecao as ‘cowardly’ and shameful. They wrote:

Ronaldo Calls Out Ancelotti’s Mistakes

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

It’s not just the press who are pointing the finger at the coach. One of Brazil’s greatest-ever players, Ronaldo Nazario, has also claimed Ancelotti’s many ‘mistakes’ vs Norway ultimately cost the team.Marca

While he’s very complimentary of his old boss, who is ‘one of the best coaches in the history of football’, R9 cited his exclusion of Joao Pedro as a baffling call. He said (per Marca):

He then pointed at the decision to restrict exciting youngster Endrick to sitting on the bench for the majority of the tournament. The two-time World Cup winner couldn’t ‘understand’ that call.

He concluded: “Then you look at Endrick. Every time he came on in this tournament, he brought energy, aggression and unpredictability. However, he spent most of the World Cup sitting on the bench. I don’t understand that.”

The Folarin Balogun controversy continues to take twists and turns, and the Belgian FA have now decided how they will respond if the USA striker plays in tonight’s game.

USA meet Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup at 8 pm local time (1 am in the UK) at Seattle Stadium. All the noise heading into the game is about Balogun, who FIFA have allowed to play after suspending a one-match ban.

Balogun received his marching orders in the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. FIFA have used Article 27 to suspend the AS Monaco striker’s red card for one year, meaning he’s available for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The Belgian FA failed in its appeal against the decision after FIFA declared it “inadmissible.” Given the outrage that has ensued throughout the saga, some think the USA would be wise not to play their top-scoring frontman.

Belgian FA Decide to Take Action if Balogun Plays

Matthew Childs via Reuters

If Pochettino does opt to play Balogun in the Round of 16 meeting, it won’t be the end of the drama surrounding the former Arsenal star. Belgium will play against the USA, but their participation is “subject to reservation.”

According to Belgian outlet HLN, the Belgian FA intend to file an official complaint with FIFA if Balogun takes part in the match. They stated: “If Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was suddenly suspended by FIFA following his red card, takes part in the match, the KBVB will file an official complaint with FIFA. The football association considers Balogun to be an ineligible player. It has, moreover, also personally conveyed this message to the American football association.”

Should Rudi Garcia’s side lose to a USA team that fields Balogun, the KBVB “can go to a FIFA judge to challenge the result and demand compensation.” That complaint is expected to be dismissed by the FIFA judge because he’d have to rule against his own organisation.

The Belgian FA can also turn to independent bodies, including a civil court or the International Court of Arbitration for Sport, and seek compensation. The Red Devils’ manager Garcia said in his pre-match press conference that his country are now “defending football” and not just the national team or federation.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s sending off. Infantino responded to the situation and admitted that, while he had discussions with Trump, they had no influence on FIFA’s decision to suspend the suspension.

Pochettino Hints at Balogun Playing

Daniel Cole via Reuters

USA manager Pochettino has already made his feelings known about the situation. The Argentine was adamant that Balogun shouldn’t have been sent off after unintentionally landing on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf.

Pochettino addressed the backlash ahead of the game by defending his team. He told reporters:

“For me, there isn’t much debate here, though I do understand Belgium’s perspective and Rudi’s point of view. I understand why people conflate issues — people always do, because there’s often an agenda to mix things up — but in this case, I don’t think it’s right.”

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss added: “If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States. Can anyone justify the idea that we weren’t punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match? It’s not as if we’re benefiting. No, no. There’s no extraordinary gain we’re getting out of all this. I mean, ultimately, we aren’t victims, but we aren’t the villains of this story either.”

Balogun has been one of the USA’s most important players at the World Cup thus far, finding the net three times in as many games. He scored in the win against Bosnia and looks likely to lead the line from the off in Seattle.