By Amaechi Agbo
Super-sub Mikel Merino was the hero once again as reigning European champions Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in a dramatic quarter-final at SoFi Stadium on Friday, booking a blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final showdown against tournament favourites France.
Just like his round-of-16 heroics against Portugal, Merino came off the bench late in the match to score the decisive goal on his second touch. In the 88th minute, Spain’s teenage prodigy Pau Cubarsí launched a low shot from distance. Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens uncharacteristically spilled the rebound, allowing Merino to smash the ball home into an open net and secure Spain’s victory.
The defeat caps off a heartbreaking, luckless night for Domenico Tedesco’s side, whose tournament ambitions were repeatedly derailed by key injuries. Captain Youri Tielemans was scratched from the starting lineup after a hamstring injury during warmups. In the 71st minute, legendary goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois—who had kept Belgium alive with spectacular saves—was forced off with a thigh problem, paving the way for Lammens’ late, decisive error.
Spain dominated the opening stages through possession, breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute. Pedro Porro cut the ball back for Dani Olmo, and though Courtois made the initial save, Fabián Ruiz was perfectly positioned to smash home the rebound. Yet against the run of play, Belgium snapped Spain’s historic 649-minute World Cup scoreless streak just before halftime.
Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated the move, finding Timothy Castagne, whose precise cross was powerfully headed past Unai Simón by Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st minute.
Despite a furious stoppage-time onslaught, where Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers engineered close chances, Spain’s defensive structure held firm to see out seven tense minutes of added time.
The victory extends Spain’s historic unbeaten streak to 37 consecutive matches. Luis de la Fuente’s men now advance to face Kylian Mbappé and France on Tuesday, July 14, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a highly anticipated semifinal matchup.
