Arsenal star Mikel Merino was the match winner once again as his late strike for Spain helped them to a 2-1 win against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal on Friday.
With two minutes left in the game Merino, who was the match winner in the round of 16 against Portugal, pounced on a spilled save by Belgium backup Senne Lammens, to finish into the roof of the net and send Spain into the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup for only the second time.
Lammens was only in the game because Belgium first choice Thibaut Courtois was substituted with an apparent injury in the 71st minute and the Manchester United stopper should have done better in saving Pau Cubarsi’s long-distance shot, which he could only spill into the path of an onrushing Merino.
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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had made one big change to his starting lineup against Belgium, with Fabián Ruiz getting the nod over Pedri. And the move paid off just after the first-half hydration break when Ruiz pounced on a rebound to give Spain the lead.
Despite Spain’s dominance for most of the first half, Belgium drew level on 41 minutes when Timothy Castagne fired in a perfect cross for Charles De Ketelaere to beat Unai Simón with a glancing header, before Merino bagged the late winner.
With the win, Spain also extended their own unbeaten run to a new team record of 36 games — one short of Italy’s all-time record of 37.
