Merino strikes late as Spain beat Belgium to set up France World Cup semi
Super sub Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and sent Spain through to a World Cup semi-final against France with a late goal in a gripping 2-1 win on Friday...
✨ Key Highlights
Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium, with Mikel Merino scoring a late winner to send them to the World Cup semi-finals against France.
- Mikel Merino, a super sub, netted the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
- Spain will face reigning champions France in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
- Despite Belgium fighting back from an early goal by Fabian Ruiz, a late error by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens proved costly.
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Spain Reaches World Cup Semi-Finals as Egypt Makes Historic Run - July 2026
Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium, with Mikel Merino scoring a late winner to send them to the World Cup semi-finals against France. The European champions had aimed to secure a semi-final clash with France by defeating Belgium in their quarter-final match. Meanwhile, hundreds of Egyptian fans welcomed home their national football team following their historic best-ever performance at the World Cup. The Pharaohs achieved their first World Cup win and reached the last 16 for the first time before a narrow 3-2 exit to Argentina.
