Source : the age
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended world soccer’s disciplinary process on Tuesday amid mounting international criticism after US President Donald Trump praised FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card ban.
Infantino said FIFA’s judicial bodies operated “independently and autonomously” and that he had told Trump the Balogun case was subject to an ongoing legal process, even as the President described the decision to reinstate the US striker as “brilliant” after personally urging FIFA to review the case.
The affair has become the tournament’s biggest controversy, drawing condemnation from European football body UEFA – which said FIFA had “crossed a red line” – the Royal Belgian Football Association, several national federations as well as senior coaches, officials and politicians, with critics arguing FIFA had undermined confidence in its own disciplinary system.
It also prompted the Belgians, hours before Tuesday’s match against the US for a place in the quarter-finals, to challenge Balogun’s eligibility, but their appeal was rejected by FIFA.
Mikel Merino scored seconds into second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres.
Spain advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will play either the United States or Belgium on Saturday (Australia time) in Los Angeles.
Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarter-finals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer’s biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233).
That’s it, full-time, and it’s Spain who will progress to the quarter-finals.
Portugal had one last chance with a foul on Francisco Conceicao by Ferran Torres and an opportunity to lump a cross in to the box with the keeper up, but nothing comes from it.
That’s the last time we will see Cristiano Ronado at a World Cup, after he confirmed in the past 24 hours that this one will be his last.
Spain’s next opponent will be the winner of the 10am match between the United States and Belgium.
Spain 1-0 Portugal, full-time
There we have it! The first goal of the match, and it comes in the 91st minute.
It’s Mikel Merino who strikes for Spain after a quick free kick he takes himself.
From there, Ferran Torres threads the ball back through the middle of the field, and Merino strikes to give Spain the lead with six minutes of additional time in this match.
Spain 1-0 Portugal, 90 + 1 minutes
With less than 10 minutes left of regulation time, we have more substitutes.
Francisco Conceicao and Bernardo Silva are on. Pedro Neto and Vitinha are off.
For Spain, Mikel Merino and Fabian Ruiz take to the pitch and Dani Olmo and Pedri take a seat on the bench.
Portugal 0-0 Spain, 83 minutes
We’ve had our hydration break, and now it’s time for some substitutions.
For Portugal, Diogo Dalot and Rafael Leao enter the contest, while Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix come from the field.
In response, Spain decide to do the same. Ferran Torres goes on and Alex Baena comes off.
Portugal 0-0 Spain, 73 minutes
Spain have looked a little lacklustre in this second half, but Pedri has time on the ball and is given a great opportunity to score from a Lamine Yamal cross.
Pedri sends the ball over the crossbar, but maybe that’s the moment Spain needed to ignite their attack.
They’re awarded a corner moments earlier, taken by Alex Baena, but Diogo Cost takes it safely to shut down any scoring opportunity.
Portugal 0-0 Spain, 62 minutes
Huge blow for Portugal, with Nuno Mendes coming off injured.
He lunges while trying to beat Lamine Yamal to the ball, but he pulls up lame and Nelson Semedo will come onto the pitch in his place.
Unsure what the injury is, but it’s definitely leg, potentially a hamstring strain.
Portugal 0-0 Spain, 55 minutes
Portugal have come out the stronger of these two in the second half, and they have the first real chance after the break.
It’s Pedro Neto who makes a break with the ball down the right edge. He sends the ball into the box for Cristiano Ronaldo, but it’s not high enough for a header, and it’s too far in front of him to get a boot to it.
Opportunity gone for Portugal, but these are some really promising signs.
Portugal 0-0 Spain 51 minutes
