Mikel Merino's late goal secured Spain's place in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, as they triumphed over Belgium with a score of 2-1. The match saw Fabian Ruiz score the opener for Spain, while Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere equalized before Merino's decisive strike. The victory extends Spain's unbeaten streak to 36 matches.

Match Highlights

In a thrilling quarterfinal clash, Spain took the lead when Fabian Ruiz capitalized on a rebound from Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who had parried a shot from Dani Olmo. However, Belgium responded just before halftime, with De Ketelaere scoring from a well-placed cross by Timothy Castagne, following a pass from Kevin De Bruyne. This goal ended Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon's impressive run of 560 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal in World Cup play, breaking the previous record held by Italy's Walter Zenga.

Merino's Impact

Merino, who had previously made a significant impact as a substitute in Spain's knockout match against Portugal, once again proved his worth by scoring shortly after entering the game. His late goal came after Senne Lammens, who replaced the injured Courtois, failed to secure a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi. Following the match, Merino expressed his joy at contributing to the team's success, stating, "Two matches to win a World Cup is a dream come true - hopefully we can achieve it."

With this victory, Spain is set to face France in the semifinals, as they continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.