LOS ANGELES — Mikel Merino cemented his status as Spain’s ultimate tournament savior, scoring a dramatic 88th-minute winner to guide La Roja to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. With the win at the Los Angeles Stadium, the reigning European champions have booked a blockbuster semi-final showdown against France in Dallas.
First Half: Striking First and Fighting Back
Spain looked in control early on and broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Midfielder Fabián Ruiz reacted fastest to a loose ball, firing home a powerful rebound to give La Roja a deserved 1-0 lead.
However, Belgium refused to back down. Just before the halftime whistle in the 41st minute, Timothy Castagne delivered an absolute peach of a cross following brilliant buildup play from Kevin De Bruyne. Charles De Ketelaere rose remarkably well to glance a textbook header past Unai Simón, ending Spain’s six-game clean sheet streak and leveling the score at 1-1.
Second Half: Drama and Goalkeeping Blunder
The second half turned into a high-stakes chess match with tactical shifts from both sides. The massive turning point arrived in the 71st minute when Belgium’s legendary goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off the pitch due to a leg injury. He was replaced by backup shot-stopper Senne Lammens.
As the game looked destined for extra time, Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente brought on midfield maestro Mikel Merino in the 85th minute. Just three minutes later, young defender Pau Cubarsí unleashed a powerful long-range effort. Lammens unfortunately spilled the initial save right back into the danger zone, and a predatory Merino pounced instantly on the rebound to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
Despite seven long minutes of stoppage time, Spain stood incredibly firm against a desperate Belgian frontline to secure their place in the final four.
