Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Spain to reach the World Cup final after they knocked his Portugal side out in the last-16 with a 1-0 victory. The 41-year-old, playing in his sixth and final World Cup, was left in tears as Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored an injury-time winner to send the European champions through.
Portugal's World Cup campaign ends in heartbreak
Portugal finished second in Group K after failing to beat DR Congo and Colombia, but overcame a tricky last-32 game against Croatia. The round-of-16 clash against rivals Spain looked destined for extra-time until Merino's late strike. Ronaldo said the team 'could have done better' overall but stressed they were eliminated by a team destined for the final.
'I don't make decisions in the heat of the moment, nor do I want to detract from what was done at the World Cup with a personal decision,' Ronaldo told the Portuguese press. 'The overall assessment of the World Cup is that we could have done better, but we were eliminated by a team that will be in the final or close to it.'
Ronaldo reflects on his future and thanks coach
When asked about his international future, Ronaldo said he was wary of making 'decisions in the heat of the moment' but confirmed he had played his last World Cup game. He also thanked departing Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, who is set to join him in Saudi Arabia at Al-Nassr. 'What I want to say to the coach is that I loved working with him, he's a great human being, a great coach, and what he did for Portugal was commendable,' Ronaldo added. 'He won a title for Portugal, many people probably don't value that, but I value it a lot. Portugal hadn't won anything and in recent years has won three titles, and that shows the value that must be had.'
Spain's path to the final
Like Portugal, Spain underwhelmed in the group stages before thumping Austria and edging out Martinez's side to reach the quarter-finals. Luis de la Fuente's side face Belgium next, with a potential blockbuster showdown against World Cup favourites France looming. Ronaldo believes Spain have the quality to go all the way. 'I think it was a well-contested game, it could have gone either way, we were a bit unlucky to concede in the last five minutes,' he said. 'But, as I said, I leave with a clear conscience, I gave my best, we gave our best, and when that happens there's nothing to criticise.'
