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Mikel Merino's late goal sends Spain to World Cup semifinals
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Mikel Merino's late goal sends Spain to World Cup semifinals

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Spain reached the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup by defeating Belgium 2-1.
  • Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, his second crucial late goal in the tournament.
  • Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón's record of 649 minutes without conceding a goal was broken by Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere.

Spain has advanced to the World Cup semifinals for the second time in their history, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium. Substitute Mikel Merino once again proved to be the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute, echoing his crucial late strike in the round of 16.

The match saw an intense duel between Belgium's Jérémy Doku and Spain's Lamine Yamal, with both players posing significant threats. While Doku initially had the upper hand, Yamal grew into the game, creating opportunities. Spain took the lead in the first half through a goal attributed to Luis de la Fuente's tactical decisions, with Pedro Porro and Dani Olmo involved in the build-up, and a finish from an unlikely source after a deflection. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made key saves for Belgium.

Spain qualified for the World Cup semifinals for the second time in its history, in a match that repeated the script of the round of 16. Again, Mikel Merino came off the bench to rescue the Spanish team with a goal in the 88th minute against Belgium (2-1) that adds to his list of transcendental goals.

— EFEDescribing Mikel Merino's decisive goal and its significance in Spain's victory.

Spain's lead, secured by Fabián Ruiz, seemed to put them in a comfortable position. However, Belgium managed to break Spain's defensive resolve. Charles De Ketelaere scored for Belgium, ending goalkeeper Unai Simón's impressive World Cup record of 649 minutes without conceding a goal. This goal marked a new challenge for Spain in the tournament, as they had not previously conceded.

Despite Belgium's equalizer, Spain adapted to the changing game. Coach Luis de la Fuente made early substitutions, bringing on Pedri and Ferran Torres. A forced substitution for Belgium saw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois leave the field due to injury. Ultimately, Merino's late heroics secured Spain's place in the semifinals, overcoming the pressure and continuing their World Cup journey.

The quarter-finals of Euro 2024, the round of 16 and the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. All with a common pattern: Mikel Merino.

— EFEHighlighting Merino's consistent performance in crucial matches for the Spanish team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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