One Header, One Hero: Merino Fires Spain

With two minutes left and the score tied, Spain substitute Mikel Merino headed in a winner to stun Belgium and send Spain to the World Cup semifinals in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.

Quick Take

Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on July 10, 2026, in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Fabian Ruiz scored first for Spain, Belgium equalized, then Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute header sealed the win.
Spain will face France in the semifinals after this hard-fought victory.
The match was a back-and-forth thriller, not the defensive shutout some early accounts suggested.

A Match That Went Down to the Wire

Spain and Belgium squared off in the World Cup quarterfinals on July 10, 2026, in a match that kept fans on edge from start to finish. Fabian Ruiz gave Spain the lead early, but Belgium fought back to level the score. The match looked headed for extra time until a late moment of magic changed everything. The final score was 2-1 in favor of Spain, confirmed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) official match report.

Belgium’s equalizer came through the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders in the world. His involvement showed that Belgium was far from outclassed. Spain’s defense was tested and breached. This was not a clean sheet or a tactical shutdown — it was a fight, and Spain had to dig deep to find a winner before the final whistle.

Merino Delivers the Moment Everyone Will Remember

Mikel Merino came off the bench and became the hero of the night. In the 88th minute, he scored the goal that sent Spain through. It was not the first time Merino has delivered in a big spot for Spain — he has built a reputation as a clutch performer in knockout football. The goal set off wild celebrations among Spanish fans and stunned Belgium, who had fought hard to stay level throughout the second half.

Late goals are a defining feature of World Cup knockout rounds. Research analyzing five straight World Cup tournaments found that the highest share of goals are scored in the final 15 minutes of matches. Merino’s winner fit that pattern perfectly. It also shows why teams can never relax, no matter the score, and why substitutes can be just as important as starters in tournament football.

Spain Sets Up a Semifinal Showdown With France

With the win secured, Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals, where they will face France. That matchup pits two of Europe’s elite football nations against each other on the sport’s biggest stage. Spain has shown they can grind out results when needed. France, known for their depth and physical style, will be a stiff test. The semifinal promises to be another high-stakes clash with a place in the World Cup final on the line.

Spain defeats Belgium 2-1 in World Cup 2026! Merino scores late goal securing semifinals against France at SoFi Stadium next round. High intensity European clash coverage now live on SG77 #WorldCup2026 #FootballX pic.twitter.com/yiPv73ior1

— SG77 Games PH (@sg77_games) July 11, 2026

This Spain team has shown a knack for finding ways to win, even when the match does not go to plan. Belgium gave them everything they had, and Spain still found a way through. For fans of the game — regardless of politics or nationality — moments like Merino’s late winner are exactly why the World Cup captures the world’s attention every four years. Spain is two wins away from lifting the trophy.