Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles, with Mikel Merino scoring a decisive last-minute goal to secure Spain’s place in the semifinals for the first time in 16 years. According to TV9 Bangla, Merino’s impact as a super-sub continued, having also eliminated Portugal earlier with a late goal.

The match saw Spain take an early lead through Fabian Ruiz, who scored following a rebound from Dani Olmo’s shot. Belgium quickly responded in the 41st minute when Charles de Ketelaere headed in a precise cross from Kevin De Bruyne, leveling the score and ending a 649-minute goal drought for Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was instrumental in denying Spain multiple times, echoing his performance in the 2022 Champions League final. However, an injury forced Courtois off the field in the 71st minute, replaced by Senne Lammens.

Merino came on as a substitute in the 84th minute and scored just four minutes later, capitalizing on a rebound from Pau Cubars’ long-range shot that Lammens failed to clear. Merino’s goal at the 88th minute not only clinched the victory but also set a record by scoring within 115 seconds of his substitution. This follows his previous late winner against Portugal in stoppage time.

With this win, Spain advances to the World Cup 2026 semifinals, where they will face France. The highly anticipated match is scheduled for July 15 at 12:30 AM IST, promising an exciting showdown between two in-form teams led by talented stars Yamal and Mbappe.

Why this matters

Spain’s return to the World Cup semifinals after 16 years marks a significant resurgence in their international football performance. Mikel Merino’s clutch goals highlight the importance of tactical substitutions and the impact of super-subs in high-stakes matches. The upcoming semifinal against France is poised to be a thrilling contest that could determine the tournament favorite.

Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the Spain vs. France semifinal, which could define legacies and national pride in this global tournament.