Mikel Merino shines as Spain advances to World Cup semi-finals with 2-1 win over Belgium

Mikel Merino once again proved to be Spain's key player as he scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Belgium on July 11, 2026, propelling the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals. This match marked Spain's second appearance in the last four since their 2010 triumph, setting up an exciting clash with France.

Merino's Transformation to Super Sub

Being labeled a super sub is not every player's dream, but Mikel Merino has embraced the role with remarkable success. After a challenging few months recovering from a rare foot injury, Merino has stepped off the bench to deliver crucial goals, including a stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the last 16 and another against Belgium.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente praised Merino's contributions, stating, "Mikel is incredible. He has many qualities. He is a player that across the whole World Cup could have played in whatever team and done great." Merino himself acknowledged the journey back to fitness, saying, "The fact of being here a few months ago was unthinkable."

Lamine Yamal's Struggles Amidst Star Performances

While Spain's veteran players have stepped up, the young talent Lamine Yamal has yet to make a significant impact at the World Cup. Despite showing promise, Yamal has only scored once and has faced criticism for his decision-making during matches.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney defended Yamal, noting that even great players like Lionel Messi make mistakes. Rooney emphasized Yamal's ability to attract defenders, creating space for teammates, including Merino.

Upcoming Challenge Against France

Spain's defense has been solid, conceding just one goal in the tournament, but they face a formidable test against a high-scoring France team led by Kylian Mbappe. Former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta expressed confidence in Spain's ability to control the game despite Yamal's inconsistency: "What gives me confidence is Spain control the game and recover the ball quite quickly."

As Spain prepares for the semi-final, fans are eager to see if Merino can continue his impressive form and if Yamal can rise to the occasion against one of the tournament favorites.