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 Piney Point
For residents of Piney Point Village , the World Cup match between Spain and Portugal may seem like a distant event, but the excitement of the tournament can still be felt in local sports bars and restaurants. As Spain advances to the quarterfinals, fans in the Houston area, including those in Piney Point Village, will be watching with interest to see how their favorite teams perform. The fact that Spain will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California, may also generate local interest, particularly if the US team emerges victorious. With the city's diverse population, including a sizable Hispanic community, the World Cup is likely to remain a topic of conversation in Piney Point Village, with many residents cheering on their favorite teams and players. As the tournament progresses, local businesses may also capitalize on the excitement, hosting watch parties and offering special deals to fans.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point 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 Piney Point 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 Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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