World Cup 2026: Spain beats Belgium, advances to face France in semifinals

Spain secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup semifinals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium at the Los Angeles Stadium. The win sets up a clash with France in the next round.

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The users did not take long to compare the Arsenal midfielder with historical figures of goal-scoring in World Cups, consolidating him as one of the most recurring characters in the meme cycle of this selection.

Mikel Merino emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute after coming on as a substitute. His decisive strike quickly made him the subject of widespread online attention, with fans comparing him to legendary World Cup goal scorers and solidifying his status as a meme favorite.

Adding to the viral buzz was Lamine Yamal's three-year-old brother, Keyne, who captured hearts from the stands with his spontaneous celebrations. His infectious joy after Merino's goal was shared across social media, making him an endearing symbol of Spain's World Cup campaign.

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His spontaneous celebrations, jumps, and gestures of euphoria after Merino's goal were replicated in thousands of posts, consolidating the little one as one of the most endearing symbols of La Roja in this World Cup.

The team's progression has ignited optimism among Spanish supporters, who are now dreaming of a repeat of their 2010 World Cup victory. Online discussions and memes reflect this collective aspiration for a second star on their jersey, this time on American soil.

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With qualification secured, Spanish fans are already projecting on social media the possibility of repeating the feat of the 2010 South Africa World Cup, fueling the collective dream of a second star for Spain, this time in the United States.