Mikel Merino scored in injury time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup campaign. The match was largely scrappy, with Spain controlling the midfield for much of the game. Ronaldo's ineffective performance and apparent reluctance to adapt his game were highlighted.
FIFA addressed a controversial VAR incident during Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Qatar, stating a technical glitch affected on-screen graphics but not the review process. The absence of offside visuals sparked criticism, with Gary Neville calling it "like a dictatorship."
A technical fault with FIFA's new semi-automated offside system caused confusion during the Switzerland vs Qatar World Cup match, leading to a penalty and a 1-1 draw. FIFA stated the VAR workflow was unaffected, but the lack of clear animation graphics fueled speculation.
Germany's sporting director Rudi Voeller encourages World Cup 2026 squad to avoid political statements during the tournament, citing past experiences in Qatar and emphasizing focus on football.
