Merino Repeats as Late Hero as Spain Beats Belgium in World Cup Quarterfinal
5 verified1 unconfirmed1 contested
Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinal. Coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute, Merino scored on a rebound after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsi. This was the second consecutive knockout match in which Merino delivered a late winning goal off the bench, following his decisive goal against Portugal in the round of 16. Spain will now face France in the semifinals. The match was played on July 11, 2026, though one source reports the date as Friday while another reports it as Saturday.
What’s verified
Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute off a rebound from a shot by Pau Cubarsi.
Merino entered the match as a substitute in the 86th minute.
Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens was in goal after replacing an injured Thibaut Courtois (Courtois injury reported by only one source).
This was Merino’s second straight late winning goal as a substitute; he also scored the winner against Portugal in the round of 16.
Spain advanced to the semifinals and will play France.
Where accounts differ
The day of the match is reported as Friday by one source and Saturday by another.
Not yet confirmed
No sources explain which player scored Spain’s first goal or Belgium’s goal (one source reports Fabian Ruiz and Charles De Ketelaere). Merino’s earlier injury that left him using a mobility scooter is mentioned by only one source. Details about the Courtois injury, Spain’s unbeaten streak since March 2023, and Belgium’s ended unbeaten streak also come from a single source.
Key figures
Mikel Merino (Spain/Arsenal midfielder/forward), Luis de la Fuente (Spain head coach), Senne Lammens (Belgium goalkeeper), Pau Cubarsi (Spain defender).
Sources: Sky Sports, abcnews.com
