Merino sinks Portugal again as Klopp looms for Germany

Merino does it again, Spain knock out Portugal

Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time winner. Spain 1–0 Portugal, and Cristiano Ronaldo is out of the World Cup (4). The goal lands as a sharp echo for Germany fans, it was Merino who ended Toni Kroos's international career with a late header at Euro 2024 (1). That goal retired a legend. This one sent another home.

Klopp and the Germany job: it is happening

Jürgen Klopp is expected to become Germany's next national team coach, according to Dutch outlet AD (3). The Netherlands also had Klopp on their list, but he was never a real option for the KNVB, Ronald Koeman and Arne Slot were the domestic priorities (3). For Germany fans, the direction of travel is clear. Your next coach is Jürgen Klopp.

Spain waiting in the quarter-finals

Spain now advance to a quarter-final against the winner of Germany vs Paraguay. That Round of 32 tie is today, Tuesday, in Foxborough. Nagelsmann's side needs a performance, and fast. A potential meeting with this Spain team, who just knocked out Portugal, is a genuine threat.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood is grim. A CNN headline making the rounds on r/soccer notes it is the first World Cup quarter-final lineup in history without Germany, Italy, or Brazil. Fans are treating it like a milestone, and not a flattering one. Read the thread here.