11 July 2026
Merino the Super Sub: Spain Edge Belgium to Meet France
Mikel Merino came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner, sending Spain into a World Cup semi-final against France.
Spain are through to the World Cup semi-finals after a tense 2-1 victory over Belgium, according to Sky Sports. The decisive moment came from substitute Mikel Merino, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error by stand-in keeper Senne Lammens after Thibaut Courtois was forced off through injury.
Merino's goal makes him the first player in World Cup history to score the winning goal in two separate knockout stage matches as a substitute, a remarkable piece of individual history inside an already extraordinary team achievement.
The result extends Spain's unbeaten run to 36 matches, a streak stretching back to March 2023. They now face tournament favourites France in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final.
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