Mikel Merino came off the bench again to save Spain, scoring the go-ahead goal in the 88th minute to defeat Belgium 2-1 in a World ​Cup quarterfinal in Inglewood, California, on Friday (July 10, 2026).

A spot in the July 19 final will ‌be at stake when Spain plays France in Arlington, Texas, on ​Tuesday (July 14). The French are seeking a third straight trip to the ⁠final having won in 2018 before losing on penalties to Argentina four years ago.

Merino, who was on the field less than six minutes before scoring the winner in second-half stoppage ‌time against Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday, entered in the 86th minute and smashed in a rebound after substitute goalkeeper ‌Senne Lammens spilled a soft shot by Pau Cubarsi.

Lammens replaced the ‌injured ⁠Thibaut Courtois (four saves) in the 71st minute.

In the second minute ⁠of second-half stoppage time, Spain defender Aymeric Laporte bailed out goalkeeper Unai Simon with a clearance in front of the goal.

Spain had not conceded a goal in the tournament through five matches ​but found themselves tied 1-1 at the ‌half.

Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute with a rebound off a shot by Dani Olmo but a header by Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st was the equalizer.

Spain almost opened the scoring in ‌the 21st but a strike by star Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 ​on Monday, was wide of the left post and the lead came soon after.

A cross by Pedro Poro from the left ⁠flank was well struck by Olmo at the center of the box, forcing a right-handed save by Courtois.

Ruiz, who got the start over Barcelona’s Pedri in ‌the midfield, was in perfect position for the putback.

La Roja allowed Belgium back into the match with uncharacteristic poor clearing and Timothy Castagne sent a service in from the right to De Ketelaere, who got inside positioning on Pau Cubarsi and powered the ball past Unai Simon.

The goal came a minute after Yamal again was just off target from distance, this time at the right post, ending ‌Simon’s World Cup record stretch without conceding a goal at 650 minutes dating back to ​the 2022 World Cup.

It was wide open briefly at the hour mark when Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who twice had barely missed scoring, ⁠had a shot from outside the box stopped by Courtois.

At the other end, Kevin ⁠De Bruyne’s shot was saved before Spain responded and Courtois denied Mikel Oyarzabal at the right post.

Courtois (four saves) was replaced by Lammens in ‌the 71st minute after sustaining an apparent leg injury.

Belgium captain and midfielder Youri Tielemans sustained an undisclosed injury during warm-ups and was scratched from the ​starting lineup. Hans Vanaken replaced him.

Belgium had their 18-match unbeaten streak end. Spain claimed their only title in 2010.

The best of Lamine Yamal is yet to come at this World Cup, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente warned, ahead of Friday’s (June 10, 2026) quarter-final clash with Belgium in Los Angeles.

Teen sensation Yamal powered Spain to glory at the European Championships two years ago, but has yet to fully shine at a World Cup where other marquee names like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are banging in goals.

“We know that the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something that we haven’t quite seen yet in this World Cup. Not to the level that we’re used to,” said De la Fuente.

The prodigiously gifted Yamal has just one goal and no assists at the tournament so far, having arrived in the United States still recovering from a late-season injury.

But he has been a constant menace to opposing defenders attacking predominantly down Spain’s right flank.

Following Spain’s late 1-0 win over Portugal in the previous round, De la Fuente had praised Yamal’s performance as “one of his best performances” and “a very important day for his development.”

Asked at Thursday’s press conference to clarify those comments, De la Feunte suggested Yamal’s intense duel with Nuno Mendes had forced the Portugal full-back to leave the field in the 55th minute.

“We were facing a powerhouse of a rival, and the defender who was marking him ultimately had to do so much that he was injured,” said De la Fuente.

At still just 18 years of age, Yamal has gained a lesson in “maturity” from the challenges he has faced at this World Cup so far, his coach said.

“He doesn’t need extra motivation. You actually sometimes have to calm his intensity. He’s very motivated — he wants to do so much,” said De la Fuente.

Spain has yet to concede at this World Cup, but will be coming up against a Belgium side that fired four goals past the United States on Monday.

Could Friday’s quarter-final be the moment for Yamal to find the back of the net again? “He’s going to perform on the attacking front — that’s very clear,” said the manager.

Belgium will meet Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday (July 10, 2026) with the daunting task of breaching the European champion’s watertight defence for the first time at the tournament.

By beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 on Monday (July 6, 2026), Luis de la Fuente’s side became the first team in history to record six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.

Spain has not shown the attacking flair of France but it is playing the careful, possession-based football that took it to glory in South Africa in 2010.

The prodigiously gifted Lamine Yamal is the team’s most potent attacker on paper, but the teenager arrived while still recovering from a late-season injury and has netted just once in five games. Mikel Oyarzabal has made up for that, scoring four times, including twice in a 3-0 romp against Austria in the last 32.Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo said club teammate Yamal was growing into the tournament.

“He brings so much to the team with his dribbling and presence. When he receives the ball, two or three opposing players close in on him, which opens up space,” he said.

“Lamine scores and assists — he’s always done that in his short career — and even when he doesn’t, he’ll keep helping us with the work he’s doing.”But the brutal truth is that Spain does not need to score many goals to win — it has conceded just six shots on target in its five matches so far.

“We are a team where everyone attacks and everyone defends,” said midfielder Dani Olmo. “The coach says the number nine is the first to defend and the others follow suit.

“The defensive line has been spectacular, it’s a historic milestone. We’re happy for (goalkeeper) Unai (Simon). If we keep a clean sheet, we’re closer to winning.”

Belgium, captained by the impressive Youri Tielemans, has had a rollercoaster ride in the knockout phase thus far.

First it came back from the dead against Senegal 3-2 before sweeping aside co-host the United States in the last 16, thanks to Charles De Ketelaere’s first-half double.

The ongoing World Cup is likely the last hurrah for the remainder of the nation’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’, including creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, striker Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, both of whom now play for Napoli. 

While they have not been at their best, they remain match-winners.

Lukaku’s three strikes at the tournament so far mean he is with Diego Maradona, Rudi Voller and Rivaldo on eight World Cup goals.

Head coach Rudi Garcia has no shortage of quality at his disposal elsewhere, with Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard giving him a goal threat.

Friday’s (July 10, 2026) clash is Belgium’s third quarterfinal in four editions but it has never reached a final.

Spain, despite its status in the game, has only progressed past the last eight twice.