Spain’s midfielder #06 Mikel Merino celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Spain and Belgium at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on July 10, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Super sub Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and sent Spain through to a World Cup semi-final against France with a late goal in a gripping 2-1 win on Friday.
The stunning finish at SoFi Stadium sets up a tantalizing showdown between European champions Spain and the tournament favorites France and the red-hot Kylian Mbappe in Dallas on Tuesday.
But it was heartbreak for Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, sent on late, who spilled a shot into the path of Merino.
The dramatic finale came after Fabian Ruiz had opened the scoring for Spain, before Charles De Ketelaere grabbed one back for Belgium against the run of play before halftime.
