Midfielder sent Spain through for the second time in a row with a late winner in their quarter-final game
Mikel Merino moved like lightning in the box to score another late winner for Spain as they beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
It is the second time in a row the Arsenal midfielder has netted to send Spain through in a tight knockout game. Merino was introduced in the 86th minute in Los Angeles and scored two minutes later after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens pushed Pau Cubarsi’s shot into his path.
His reaction to get to the ball before any Belgium defender was as sharp as could be. He also rescued Spain in the last round, coming off the bench in the 85th minute to score a 91st-minute winner against Portugal.
“I don’t even know what to say, I can’t believe it myself,” Merino said. “Doing it once, I thought it wouldn’t happen again for a long time – and here we are again.
“I believe in luck, but I don’t think this is luck. It’s about being prepared when you get on. So you shouldn’t be surprised by me scoring in the last few minutes because when I get on the pitch I am ready.
“But it feels surreal to come on as a substitute and help the team with a goal in two consecutive matches. My teammates kept telling me: ‘You’re going to score again.’ I always want to come on to help the team improve and contribute however I can.”
💪🏼 This isn’t over yet…#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/oRPRL5BmJb
— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) July 10, 2026
These are not the only two cases when Merino has scored a match-winning goal for Spain at a major tournament. He also netted decisively in extra time against Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
“I doubt it’ll happen again,” Merino said, hoping to take the pressure off. “We will see what happens. We have two more matches to go [to win] the World Cup. Hopefully we can pull it off.
“I’m so lucky and privileged to be experiencing this with my parents, aunts and uncles every day. I’m at a very happy moment in my life.”
Spain had taken control in the first half through Fabian Ruiz who opened the scoring. Belgium responded before the interval when Charles De Ketelaere headed in the equaliser, leaving the match level at the break.
Belgium then resisted sustained pressure after half-time but lost Thibaut Courtois to injury in the 71st minute. His replacement Senne Lammens made several saves but could only push Cubarsi’s effort into Merino’s path for the winning goal.
Spain’s victory sets up a high-end meeting with France, whom they beat in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and again in the 2025 Uefa Nations League.
“It’s one great team coming up against another,” Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, said. “It’s fair to say both teams will be as worried as the other. We’re going to work hard to knock them out. We’ve beaten them twice in a row.”
Perhaps Merino will be there at the end to save them once more.
