Cristiano Ronaldo had already announced pre-game that this was going to be his final World Cup tournament, so the question on everyone's lips was whether he could lift his team to new heights again and extend Portugal's stay at the World Cup to at least the quarter-final stage, or whether this was to be the last time one of the best to ever play the game would wear his national team's shirt at FIFA's showpiece event.
Spain close to making more World Cup history
Spain had not conceded a goal in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, and they had already kept four consecutive clean sheets at this tournament.
Factoring in the clean sheet in the 2022 match against Morocco, Luis de la Fuente's side had the opportunity to become the first team in history to get six consecutive clean sheets at the World Cup finals.
Lamine Yamal was making his 24th appearance in all competitions for La Roja, and he was still to experience a defeat when he started for his country. His first touch in the game was awful, though his second caused all sorts of problems in the Portuguese penalty area.
An all too familiar pattern had already shown itself within the opening 10 minutes, as Spain's 60% possession left Portugal playing the long ball.
A long ball game that had completely bypassed Ronaldo, who'd only had one touch by then.
Portugal were too open in the early stages
Mikel Oyarzabal, who would equal David Villa's five goals from the 2010 World Cup if he found the net, was clean through as early as the eighth minute, but inexplicably dragged his shot wide.
Ronaldo would get his first shot on target in the 12th minute, Unai Simon pushing it away for a corner, though the chance only came about because of a poor ball from the Spaniards.
Portugal were far too open, and with Spain purposeful in possession, they were able to nullify the passing threat of Vitinha and the creativity of Bruno Fernandes.
Rodri's winning back of possession on four separate occasions in the opening quarter hour, as well as the successful completion of two one-on-ones, ensured that any time Portugal did get forward, it was down the channels rather than centrally.
Spain's high defensive line paying dividends
A magnificent double save from Diogo Costa kept the scores level, Lamine and Alex Baena denied by the custodian. He had to be at his best, given that none of his colleagues had completed a successful tackle in the game, with only Joao Neves and Joao Felix attempting one each before the first hydration break.
The high defensive line employed by the Spaniards ensured that Portugal were hemmed in for long periods, and undoubtedly contributed to their inability to build up a head of steam.
By the 30-minute mark, they'd still only had Ronaldo's shot on target, and two unsuccessful dribbles (Felix and Neves again) to show for their attacking intent.
Costa saved a long-range effort from Pedri as Spain threatened again, and there was certainly an ease and fluidity to their play which was missing from large parts of Portugal's game.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup is taking place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament features 48 national teams and is played at 16 modern stadiums.
Match schedule and times | Group standings and knockout bracket | How to watch the World Cup | World Cup Format | Past winners of the tournament
Mendes' shot hits the bar
A flying save from Simon denied Ronaldo after an incisive period of play from the Portuguese, and despite Spain's evident dominance in most parts of the game, they had still been unable to beat Costa leading into half-time.
Indeed, the closest anyone came to an opening goal was when Nuno Mendes fired in a missile that took a deflection off Pedro Porro before crashing back off the crossbar.
Mendes had also been the most active defender, attempting two tackles in the half, the same as Felix, whose industry both in and out of possession was laudable. Nine total duels attempted by halftime was almost double that of any of his teammates.
Six of the last seven meetings had ended as a draw, and as the whistle sounded, the teams remained locked at 0-0.
Ill-timed injury curtails Portugal's attacking intent
Both Nuno Mendes and Joao Cancelo, so important to Portugal's method of attack, hadn't had quite the impact expected, though the former could claim a 100% pass completion in the opening 45 as a personal triumph of sorts.
Mendes was also in the right place at the right time to stop Lamine in the early part of the second half, and again when Dani Olmo switched places with his Barcelona clubmate down the right.
Though Portugal were a little more expansive after the break, due in no small part to Mendes' ball-winning ability at both ends, his injury and subsequent substitution were the cruellest of blows.
Ronaldo would again get a shot away just before the hour, his third of the game being more than any other player on the pitch. So much for him being too old to hold his own on the biggest stage.
Double substitution from Roberto Martinez
Pedri should really have done better when well placed, and there appeared to be only one team willing to try to settle the game in normal time.
Lamine's six touches in the Portugal box were the same amount as the entire Portuguese squad, by way of one example.
As the pace and tempo of the game began to slow, goalmouth incidents were at a premium, and even when chances did present themselves, players from both sides weren't clinical enough.
At the second hydration break, Roberto Martinez made a double substitution to try to alter the flow of a match which had fallen a little flat.
Congested midfield stopping creativity
Much of the game was being played in a congested midfield, though the occasional half-chance would keep both teams on their toes.
Spain were still the team on the front foot as the game entered the closing stages of normal time, with Dani Olmo's blocked shot being the 14th from a La Roja point of view.
Despite being ahead on every possible metric, the plain fact remained that Spain were still being held, and each time the ball made its way up towards Ronaldo, there was an audible intake of collective breath from the stands.
Further subs from both sides were made in order to find a way to open the scoring late on.
Merino wins it in stoppage time
One of those, Mikel Merino, was fed brilliantly by another Spanish sub, Ferran Torres, after a quickly-taken stoppage-time free-kick, and his low drive beat Costa at his near post.
It was one of only eight touches the Arsenal man would have in his time on the pitch, but what an important one it turned out to be.
Spain march on with yet another clean sheet under their belts.
Jason Pettigrove has been the features writer for Flashscore since 2025, utilising Opta data to form the basis of his articles. He has previously worked for high profile football clubs, news and media outlets, both in print and digital, and can usually be found watching FC Barcelona when time permits. You can read more of his pieces here.
