Spain’s Mikel Merino scores their second purpose on July 10, 2026. — Reuters
Mikel Merino got here off the bench once more to avoid wasting Spain, scoring the go-ahead purpose within the 88th minute of La Roja’s 2-1 defeat of Belgium in a World Cup quarter-final in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
A spot within the July 19 remaining might be at stake when Spain play France in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday. The French are in search of a 3rd straight journey to the ultimate having received in 2018 earlier than dropping on penalties to Argentina 4 years in the past.
Merino, who was on the sphere lower than six minutes earlier than scoring the winner in second-half stoppage time towards Portugal within the spherical of 16 on Monday, entered within the 86th minute and smashed in a rebound after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a mushy shot by Pau Cubarsi.
Mikel Merino got here off the bench once more to avoid wasting Spain, scoring the go-ahead purpose within the 88th minute to defeat Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarter-final in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
A spot within the July 19 remaining might be at stake when Spain play France in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday. The French are in search of a 3rd straight journey to the ultimate having received in 2018 earlier than dropping on penalties to Argentina 4 years in the past.
Spain are again within the semi-finals for the primary time since they received their solely World Cup in 2010.
Merino, who was on the sphere lower than six minutes earlier than scoring the winner in second-half stoppage time towards Portugal within the spherical of 16 on Monday, entered within the 86th minute and smashed in a rebound after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a mushy shot by Pau Cubarsi.
Lammens changed the injured Thibaut Courtois (4 saves) within the 71st minute when he could not play by an obvious leg harm.
Within the second minute of second-half stoppage time, Spain defender Aymeric Laporte bailed out goalkeeper Unai Simon with a clearance in entrance of the purpose.
Spain had not conceded a purpose within the event by 5 matches however discovered themselves tied 1-1 at half-time.
Fabian Ruiz put Spain forward within the thirtieth minute with a rebound off a shot by Dani Olmo however a header by Charles De Ketelaere within the forty first was the equaliser.
Spain virtually opened the scoring within the twenty first however a strike by star Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, was extensive of the left publish and the lead got here quickly after.
A cross by Pedro Poro from the left flank was nicely struck by Olmo on the centre of the field, forcing a right-handed save by Courtois.
Ruiz, who received the beginning over Barcelona’s Pedri in midfield, was in good place for the putback.
La Roja allowed Belgium again into the match with uncharacteristically poor clearing and Timothy Castagne despatched a cross in from the suitable to De Ketelaere, who received inside positioning on Cubarsi and powered the ball previous Unai Simon.
The purpose ended Simon’s World Cup document stretch with out conceding a purpose at 650 minutes relationship again to the 2022 World Cup.
The purpose got here a minute after Yamal once more was simply off course from distance, this time on the proper publish.
It was extensive open briefly on the hour mark when Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who twice had barely missed scoring, had a shot from exterior the field stopped by Courtois.
On the different finish, Kevin De Bruyne’s shot was saved earlier than Spain responded and Courtois denied Mikel Oyarzabal on the proper publish.
Belgium captain and midfielder Youri Tielemans sustained an undisclosed harm throughout warm-ups and was scratched from the beginning line-up. Hans Vanaken changed him.
Belgium had their 18-match unbeaten streak finish, whereas Spain prolonged their very own unbeaten streak to a team-record 36, one in need of the document 37 set by Italy from 2018-21.
