On paper, it looked set to be one of the most thrilling matches at the 2026 World Cup so far. Truth be told, Spain vs Portugal was as dull as dishwater, although it has led to Roberto Martinez quitting.

Both teams came into the tournament as strong favourites to go all the way, but it was Martinez’s men who were dumped out at the Round of 16 stage. Cristiano Ronaldo exited the pitch in tears – in what was surely his last ever outing at a World Cup – after Mikel Merino kept his cool to slot home the only goal of the game.

That strike in the 91st minute was one of few incidents in the 1-0 win, but there was another eye-catching moment late on when former Manchester City teammates Rodri and Bernardo Silva clashed.

Rodri Sends Message to Silva After World Cup Clash

With the score at 1-0, Silva had a chance to steal an instant equaliser, but he could not get over the ball, as his header sailed over the crossbar. It was a difficult outing for the ex-Man City star, who has recently signed a contract with Real Madrid, but he didn’t get any sympathy from his former teammate.

Indeed, Rodri stood over Silva with the Portuguese star on the floor after his miss. Something was clearly said as the two were soon caught in a verbal spat and the Real Madrid man had to be calmed down as he angrily wagged his finger at the Spanish.

Seeing as the pair have so much positive history together – having won four Premier League titles and the Champions League at City – it was rather eye-catching that such an ill-tempered moment erupted between them on the pitch. However, after going on to win the game, Rodri appears to have calmed down.

Speaking to the press, he took responsibility and apologised to Silva, saying:

At the time of writing, Silva has yet to respond.

Wayne Rooney Offers Instant Thoughts On Ronaldo’s World Cup Exit

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jerome

While there was plenty of focus on this moment between Silva and Rodri, all eyes were really on Ronaldo at full time. The 41-year-old will now almost certainly finish his career without ever winning the World Cup.

Already, pundits are looking forward, wondering what is in store for Portugal without their veteran striker. On this matter, pundit and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport:

“This is the start of a new era when you lose a player like Ronaldo. Maybe a few players have felt [they were] in the shadow of him – which is normal because of what he has done in the game. For other players, it’s time to go and be the main man for Portugal. It’s a new opportunity for senior players to take responsibility and for younger players to come through.”

Spain will now face the winner of the US or Belgium in the quarter-final.

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.”