local
Mikel Merino's late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career
By Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 6, 2026
· 4 min read
Mikel Merino was still on the bench in the final minutes of regulation, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente worried about hanging on to his substitutes as long as possible because of looming extra time.The Arsenal forward made all that fretting moot.Merino scored in the first minute of second-half...
Key takeaway Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents who follow international soccer, Mikel Merino's late goal is a reminder that even with a strong following for American sports, the city's diverse population also has a significant interest in global competitions like the World Cup. As Spain advances to the quarterfinals, locals who support the team or have ties to Spanish culture will be eagerly anticipating their next match against either the United States or Belgium. The fact that the game will be played in Inglewood, California, may also spark interest among Pearland residents who have connections to the West Coast or are simply excited to see international soccer played in the United States. With the city's own recreational soccer leagues and programs, Merino's impressive performance may also inspire young players in Pearland to strive for similar success on the field.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mikel Merino was still on the bench in the final minutes of regulation, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente worried about hanging on to his substitutes as long as possible because of looming extra time.The Arsenal forward made all that fretting moot.Merino scored in the first minute of second-half...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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