Mikel Merino scores late winner as Spain advances past Belgium
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 10, 2026, 10:01 PM
Last updated Jul 10, 2026
Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals by defeating Belgium 2-1 in a quarter-final match held on July 10, 2026. Mikel Merino secured the win for Spain with a goal in the 88th minute after a tightly contested game. Spain will now face France in the semi-finals, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess throughout the tournament.
- •Mikel Merino scored for Spain in the 88th minute.
- •Spain won the match 2-1 against Belgium.
- •The quarter-final was played on July 10, 2026.
- •Spain will face France in the semi-finals.
- 6:44 AMYahoo Sports — Merino the unlikely hero for Spain again
- 10:01 PMBBC Sport — Spain into semi-finals at expense of Belgium after Merino's late winner
"Any side looking to be successful need match-winners throughout the team - and Spain are proving they have them as Mikel Merino delivered in his role as super sub once again to send the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals. The Arsenal midfielder stepped off the bench for the second successive game to score the decisive goal - this time securing a 2-1 victory over Belgium. There are just two examples of a player scoring the winning goal for Spain in the knockout stages of the World Cup as a substitute: Merino vs Portugal in the last 16 and Merino vs Belgium.
"Mikel Merino emerges as Spain's hero yet again as the substitute scores in the 88th minute to stun Belgium and set up a World Cup semi-final against France.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 13, 2026, 6:44 AMMerino the unlikely hero for Spain again
Any side looking to be successful need match-winners throughout the team - and Spain are proving they have them as Mikel Merino delivered in his role as super sub once again to send the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals. The Arsenal midfielder stepped off the bench for the second successive game to score the decisive goal - this time securing a 2-1 victory over Belgium. There are just two examples of a player scoring the winning goal for Spain in the knockout stages of the World Cup as a substitute: Merino vs Portugal in the last 16 and Merino vs Belgium.
- BBC SportJul 10, 2026, 10:01 PMSpain into semi-finals at expense of Belgium after Merino's late winner
Mikel Merino emerges as Spain's hero yet again as the substitute scores in the 88th minute to stun Belgium and set up a World Cup semi-final against France.
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