Merino scores late as Spain eliminates Belgium from World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 13, 2026, 7:11 AM
Last updated Jul 13, 2026
Spain edged past Belgium 2-1 in a quarter-final match at the World Cup on July 13, 2026. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Senne Lammens, substituting for injured Thibaut Courtois, mishandled a shot, allowing Mikel Merino to score from the rebound. This defeat likely marks the end of the competitive international careers for key Belgium players Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Axel Witsel after their long stint since the 2014 World Cup. Belgium's generation had one last chance to secure a title, but the late error proved costly, confirming their elimination from the tournament.
- •Spain wins 2-1 against Belgium
- •Mikel Merino scores the winner late
- •Senne Lammens fails to secure the goal
- •Belgium faces potential farewell for key players
- •Match took place on July 13, 2026
- 7:11 AMYahoo Sports — Merino pounces on Lammens mistake to score late winner for Spain
"Fairytale goodbyes are a rarity in football. Belgium's 2-1 defeat by Spain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup is likely to have marked the final bow of the four remaining members of the Red Devils' golden generation. Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne and Axel Witsel have been mainstays of the national team since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but their final chance of winning football's biggest prize ended with a mistake from one of their successors.
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