Martínez quits, Ronaldo says goodbye as Portugal fall to Spain

Martínez resigns after Spain knockout

Portugal 0–1 Spain, and Roberto Martínez walked straight to the microphone. "It was my last match with the Portuguese national team," he said after the round of 16 exit Monday (1) (2). No hesitation. "This is the end of my cycle. Now it is legitimate that the president chooses a new coach. I thank everyone for the support during this period" (8). Your team is out of the World Cup and the manager knew it before the final whistle.

Merino, 88th minute

Mikel Merino scored the winner. 88 minutes of nothing, then a near-post header that Diogo Costa could not keep out (2) (3). Unai Simón had already denied Bernardo Silva in the second half, and Nuno Mendes hit the post. Portugal created enough. The ball would not go in (3).

Ronaldo confirms it is over

Cristiano Ronaldo stood on the pitch in tears. Then he said it plainly: "It was indeed my last World Cup, yes" (4) (8). He added: "I gave the best of myself" (4). The Marca headline called Merino "the executioner of legends", Ronaldo follows Kroos out of the tournament at the same man's feet (6) (10). At 40, this was the final chapter of Ronaldo at a World Cup. The fans in the stadium showed it; the tears showed the rest (7) (11).

Jorge Jesus the early favourite

Jorge Jesus is tipped to take over, according to reports out of Brazil (8) (13). Nothing confirmed yet, Martínez only just cleared his desk, but the name is already circulating as the federation's preferred candidate (13). The new coach inherits a squad good enough that commentator André Pinotes Batista recently argued at least ten managers could do better with it than Martínez did.