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Here on CBS Sports HQ, where Spain is moving on to the quarters in the World Cup. Mikel Merino scoring in the second half of stoppage time to advance the World Cup quarters with a 1-0 win over Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo took three shots, had two shots on goal in the final World Cup game of his legendary career, but it was not enough. Now, Spain, they are moving on, awaits the winner of the United States and Belgium. And that quarterfinal game will be on July 10th in Los Angeles. Getting a look, the score, the shots on goal, all of it. And ultimately, it is Spain who comes out on top 1-0. All right, let's welcome in Ian Joy here to break this all down. It felt like neither side was able to get things going early on. Spain had some early
chances, but ultimately, Spain comes out on top, and they have not allowed a goal yet in this entire tournament, which is crazy to think about. What has made their defending so good in this World Cup, Ian? Yeah, they just keep possession of the ball. They dominated the ball. They make you look a little bit foolish sometimes the way they make you run around chasing after the ball. Um they're also a team that slows the game down and then speeds it up when they want to. They got an excellent goalkeeper, an excellent defense right in front of that goalkeeper to just take care of business and make it much more difficult. It's now an incredible 35 games that they have gone without losing a game, which
is absolutely insane in our business. Of course, defensively, it's it's pride. It's It's playing for your country. It's representing a lot of people back home, representing the flag and the national anthem, singing it with pride, and then putting out a performance there that's saying, "You're going to have to be better than us to beat us." But defensively, they're just so solid, Jackie. You know what I mean? When I'm looking at this type of performance, I'm also thinking, "Okay, they're great defensively, but they also find a way to punish you offensively as well." And they're patient at doing exactly that. So, fantastic to watch and obviously yet again who comes out on top? Spain. And I want to talk about on the
Portuguese side of things. It felt like something just wasn't clicking. We never really saw the very best out of this Portuguese side. And there was a lot of talk about Ronaldo and went to stardom and the flow of things. What do you think ultimately went wrong with Portugal in this World Cup? Yeah, it wasn't great. I mean, they were one of the dark horses probably for most people out there. The best midfield in the World Cup. Obviously Vitinha from Paris Saint-Germain, João Neves from Paris Saint-Germain, alongside Bruno Fernandes who obviously had the most assists now in the Premier League after an incredible season at Manchester United. We thought, "Wow, that midfield might be the best in the World Cup. They
might win this World Cup." It didn't quite turn out to be the case. I think decision-making first and foremost. Cristiano Ronaldo obviously it's very difficult to leave him out of the starting 11. He started every single game, of course, when they had something on the line. And I don't think he lived up to expectation. I mean, he just didn't perform. Even in this game in particular, he had three shots. Okay, credit to the three shots, but there were there was not much power, energy, quality behind those strikes. And I'm not the type of person to put someone down, especially with his title. He's one of the greatest players ever to have played our game. But I do think Portugal
might have been a bit more dangerous offensively had he not played every single game. Had he not played as many minutes. I would have loved to have seen a little bit more rotation. And of course, creation will come up to grabs. They didn't create as many chances for him. But I do think that Portugal let themselves down. They looked a little bit tired in this competition and even in this game. They made it impressive that they went that long without conceding a goal, but they also had a couple of opportunities themselves in front of goal without actually taking them. But Cristiano Ronaldo in that first half in particular, of course, I'm picking on him once again. He had the
fewest contacts on the ball in the first 45 minutes. And okay, he doesn't need to touch the ball, but at some point to win these games in the knockout, you've got to make contact with your best player. And Portugal didn't do a good enough job of that. Not enough from Bruno Fernandes, not enough from Vitinha. The substitute who came off the bench, obviously Rafael Leão, had some sort of an impact, but in this game, not enough. And I think Portugal, yeah, they were kind of backhanded a little bit by one of Europe's best footballing nations, and that's Spain. So, the Iberian Derby once again goes the way of Spain. Before we push it ahead and talk about what lies ahead for Spain, I want to
bring it back to Ronaldo, of course. 11 career World Cup goals, that's the most in Portugal World Cup history. It's crazy to think back, he made his World Cup debut a little over 20 years ago, all the way back in 2006. I believe it was June 11th. When you think back to Ronaldo and his career and what he has accomplished in terms of the World Cup, obviously not the way you want to go out, but what will you remember most? Well, he's one of my favorite players, that's for sure. He played for my club, Manchester United. So, to me, he's somewhat of a god. And I think for many people out there, especially if you're a youngster trying to get into the game or
learn the game, this guy has god-like status. He has so many followers, more followers than any other professional athlete. He is someone who has done an incredible amount of work, obviously on and off the field. He's a philanthropist, and on the pitch, he does his talking right there. But he is 41 years old, let's not forget that, and he's still playing. He looks incredible. he is an immaculate human being. And to be this fit competing at a World Cup, it's hard not to admire that. But I do think that you still have to offer something, obviously, when it comes to these big games, and he didn't quite have it in the tank left to offer. You can see it's coming to an end for him. And that's a shame, because what he gave
us is just so many memories. He gave us so many stories, magical goals, winning trophies for Real Madrid and my club, Manchester United. He scored spectacular goals for Juventus, and of course, went to try and change a region in the Middle East and play in Saudi football, and he's done exactly that. He's been a true inspiration for a lot of young boys and girls out there who just simply want to look up to someone, and he is the perfect human being. What he does off the field will not get as celebrated for what he has done on the field, but what he has done off the field, especially in Portugal, it is truly remarkable. I spent a bit of time with the Portuguese Federation a couple of months ago, and I
looked at their training facility and I just thought to myself, this would not be here if it wasn't for Cristiano Ronaldo and what he has done to impact. They have been European champions, they have won trophies, they've made headlines, and he's the reason because of that. All the players who are playing around him right now are all inspired by that man. So, it's hard not to love him, and if this is his last World Cup, it's a shame that he had to go out this way, but he has left us so many great memories, and of course, we'll continue to follow forevermore.
Absolutely, and every time we say 41, I have to like double-check and think back cuz I'm like, there's no possible way this man is 41, but in our research doc, the only player in World Cup history to play a knockout stage match at 41 years old. It is he's not a human being. Let's go back to Spain. Obviously, advancing. They're going to play the winner of either USA or Belgium in the quarters in LA. What do you think is the better match up for Spain? And when I say better, I'm really talking about from a fan perspective, what is going to be the most competitive for Spain?
Well, Jaclyn, when you see a team that's gone 35 games unbeaten, they dominate in possession of the ball, they've got a goalkeeper who hasn't conceded a goal in 609 minutes, does it really matter who the opposition is for a Spain right now? I mean, they're just incredible. They're fun to watch, albeit at times for the majority of viewers out there, and I would say for US sports fans, sometimes they can be a bit boring because they pass the ball around a little bit too many times, but for those who love the beautiful game, it's hard not to admire what they do. To answer your question, I don't think they want to come up against the USA. I just don't. I think you've obviously recognized a home
nation that has a lot of power behind it with supporters, and of course, there is a lot of opportunity that the USA will get past Belgium and be the opponent that Spain have to face. The hard-working mentality, playing in front of your own supporters, it's like having that 12th player perspective going into these games. So, I don't think Spain want to come up against the USA, but I do have to say that I find it hard that they would fear any opponent that stands in their way. European champions for a reason. What's to say they cannot go on and make it world champions now? As a as an American, I'm a little nervous of the possibility of going up against Spain, but you know what? I think La Minion Mall's younger brother
has captured all of our hearts, and if they do go on and it as it looks like they're heading toward a final, I'm glad we get more content of his little brother because he brings me so much joy. Um Ian, we certainly appreciate it, breaking it all down as uh Spain advancing to the quarters, beating Portugal 1-0. Um of course, our friends over at Galazzo, they have uh around-the-clock coverage of the World Cup, all of the recaps, headlines, everything you need to know. You can stream them for free 24/7 in the very same place that you stream HQ. So, make sure you check it out. Our friends over at the Galazzo Network. And of course, if you want more soccer, head on over to Paramount Plus, and you can check out
the US men's soccer trilogy. You can stream it right now. Every era all on Paramount Plus.
