World Cup 2026: Mikel Merino's late goal secures Spain's 2-1 win over Belgium in quarter-finals

Spain advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup 2026 on Friday in Los Angeles, defeating Belgium 2-1 with a dramatic late winner from Mikel Merino. The victory came just two minutes before the end of regular time, sealing Spain's spot in the last four.

Match Overview: Spain vs. Belgium

Spain controlled much of the match, taking the lead in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz capitalized on a rebound after a shot from Dani Olmo was parried by Thibaut Courtois. However, Belgium equalized just before halftime through Charles De Ketelaere, who headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne.

The match was marked by key injuries for Belgium, notably the absence of captain Youri Tielemans, who suffered a hamstring injury during warm-ups. Despite this setback, Belgium managed to fight back and equalize.

Key Moments in the Match

The first half was dominated by Spain, but Belgium's resilience shone through when they equalized in the 41st minute. After the break, both teams had chances, but it was Spain who ultimately found the decisive goal.

• 30th Minute: Ruiz scores for Spain.
• 41st Minute: De Ketelaere equalizes for Belgium.
• 88th Minute: Merino scores the winner for Spain.

As the match progressed, Courtois was forced off due to injury, leading to the debut of Lammens, who faced a challenging situation. In the dying moments, a shot from Cubarsi was not held, allowing Merino to pounce on the rebound and secure the win.

Implications for the Semi-Finals

With this victory, Spain will now face France in the semi-finals, a highly anticipated matchup. The Spanish team celebrated their hard-fought win while Belgium's players reflected on their disappointing exit.

As the whistle blew, emotions ran high, with Courtois comforting Lammens, illustrating the sportsmanship despite the intense competition.