Mikel Merino’s Late Winner Helps Spain Advance to the Semi-Finals

By Daniel Feuerstein | Inglewood, CA | July 10th, 2026

The second semi-final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup pitted Spain against Belgium to see who would move on to face France. From the start all the way to the end, this match was another chess match between two tough European sides that know each other very well. Everything looked even on the pitch with goals, defensive plays, and saves until that magic moment came as one side moved on and the other went home, as Spain defeated Belgium by the final score of two goals to one.

Spain opens the scoring on the rebound

As the ball was headed toward the Belgian area, Spain scored the first goal of the match after capitalizing on a rebound. The ball was moving down the pitch along the near side. The pass was sent toward Pedro Porro running toward the end line, passed it back toward Dani Olmo who ripped a shot, but was saved by Thibaut Courtois. But he left a rebound, and rushing in to slam the ball back into the net was Fabian Ruiz to give his side the lead in the 30th minute.

Belgium fought back and equalized

Belgium wanted to make a statement in this match as they knew they didn’t want to play from behind all game long. They scored a fantastic goal as they hovered outside the Spanish area. Kevin De Bruyne was outside the top of the area when he went toward the far side and found Timothy Castagne. He made the move toward the endline and crossed the ball inside the area. Making his run was Charles De Ketelaere, and with a strong diving header, beats Unai Simon in the 41st minute. That was the first goal that Spain conceded in six matches of this World Cup.

Thibaut Courtois was substituted out due to injury

During the second half of the match, Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was trying to defend a play as the Spaniards were attempting a shot on goal. While putting himself into position to make the save, the ball was struck hard and hit Courtois inside his upper left leg. He was down and got treatment from the medical trainer to make an attempt to stay in the match. But eventually he couldn’t remain and was subbed out due to injury, as the backup, Senne Lammens, came in to finish the match in the 71st minute

Another rebound goal for the winner

The big moment came when Spain was hunting for the match winner, and once again it came late in the game. The same man who got the winner over Portugal inside second half stoppage time was the one who scored the winner against Belgium, as Mikel Merino smashed home a rebound shot after Pau Cubarsi took a long distance shot from just outside the area and forced Lammens to make a save and left a juicy rebound so Merino could run in and score in the 88th minute to put Spain into the Semi-Finals.

On Tuesday, July 14th, one Semi-Final match is all set as France will face Spain to see who will reach the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday, July 19th. With two more Quarterfinal matches remaining on Saturday, the big question is who will be in the other Semi-Final of this 2026 FIFA World Cup

Spain edges Belgium and advances to the World Cup Semi-Finals to face France

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