Mikel Merino scores 88th-minute winner as Spain beat Belgium 2-1

sportsJul 10, 2026441,562

Mikel Merino scored an 88th-minute winner as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals. Merino pounced on a rebound after substitute Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold an initial shot, converting the chance to send Spain into the semifinals. The victory sets up a World Cup semifinal between Spain and France. Merino has produced multiple late decisive goals at recent major tournaments, including in the 119th minute against Germany at Euro 2024 and the 91st minute against Portugal in the Round of 16 at this World Cup.

Tim Stillman ⭐️⭐️

@tim-stillman.bsky.social

Spain and Belgium were drawing and Belgium took off Leandro Trossard and Spain brought on Mikel Merino WITH OBVIOUS RESULTS

44545d ago

NeathKev17

Never mind all that. Can someone explain to me why Unai Simon is picked ahead of David Raya?

goonermatti.bsky.social6

It was always going to be either Clutch-Trossard or Clutch-Merino Who was going to score the winner tonight! 🔴⚪️

EboueGod5

Never bet against the Arsenal

Thought all the Belgium subs apart from the necessary GK one were dreadful.

Chad Farrenburg3

Exactly. This is the Arsenal WC, after all.

Crispin Modern3

Tuchel understands this. Tie your fate to the Arsenal boys.

Quoting this

Adam Rae Voge30

broke: Rudi Garcia is making a mistake taking off Doku and KDB woke: Rudi Garcia is making a mistake taking off Trossard

Davy Crockett2

Fox is advertising tomorrow night’s quarterfinal as Lionel Messi vs. Granit Xhaka. ADVANTAGE SWITZERLAND, clearly

Billy Carpenter

@billycarpy.bsky.social

It is a World Cup for superstars. Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Bellingham, Mikel Merino.

33745d ago

kaori. an emerald, a fox in the snow4

surely merino is way ahead on goals per minutes

Rodger Sherman

@rodger.bsky.social

Mikel Merino goals at major tournaments: 119th minute against Germany, quarterfinals, 2024 Euros 91st minute against Portugal, Round of 16, 2026 World Cup 88th minute against Belgium, quarterfinals, 2026 World Cup

8745d ago

Glenn Stewart1

Mikel Jon Obi just likened Merino to Lampard and I can't believe I never made the connection before. Merino has many of the exact same characteristics.

CJ Fogler

@cjzero.bsky.social

Mikel Merino gives Spain the advantage just before stoppage time

7045d ago

Peter Butler2

2 rebound goals ... poor Courtois! (oh he got hurt I guess... even worse) thanks for posting these. it's the only way I get to see the goals

Corey the Street2

Thank you for keeping the kid in 😂

Daryll B1

Every country remaining has had a great kid GIF. The USA for 2030 needs a....

Quoting this

andré44

a twenty-five yard .03 xG shot leading to a .69 tap in to advance to a world cup semifinal, team bangers only gladly accepts this gift

Sophie Lawson11

My whatever comment is, and I know they do talk about having to stay switched on sat on the bench but, it's a hard job for any back-up goalkeeper who gets subbed on mid-game to be sharp, not least one who hasn't played a competitive minute since May

Kev Lawson11

The ruthless mocking of the crying kid is an instant meme. Incredible. #worldcup

Paul Harvey7

Spains attacking approach is to string together hundreds of intricate passes to move ever closer to goal in a beautiful ballet of soccer. Then the big man hammers home a rebound.

Mark Rankin5

The Spanish kid with the mock tears giving us that GIF before a new NFL/college football season is truly a gift from the heavens

LeTom

@letomlv.bsky.social

Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Mikel Merino always wins.

4845d ago

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Mikel Merino scored another late winner for Spain to knock Belgium out of the 2026 World Cup and set up a mouthwatering semifinal against France. nyti.ms/4eXpsTI

Mikel Merino #6 of Spain celebrates after the 2-1 victory

6145d ago

LuftKraftPikk1

The country known for Napoleon or the country known for Spanish Armada... ugh, 2 massive disappointments in the end. Vikings ftw. 😎🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴 #Norway

IngeBCE1

ihr seht das doch auch oder ?!?!?! oder ?!?! #boner

Quoting this

.15

Merino carrega a Copa de 2010 nos shorts.

Awful Announcing

@awfulannouncing.bsky.social

Darren Fletcher: "I mentioned Mikel Merino about five minutes ago, and he is now on to replace Dani Olmo. So, don't sleep on him. If anyone can find the winning goal, it might well be this fellow." ⚽🎙️🎯🪄 #WorldCup

4745d ago

JM =^D

@jm539581.bsky.social

Spain 2-1 Belgium 88'- Senne Lammens save the initial shot, but allows a rebound for Mikel Merino to put the ball into the net

3545d ago

Quoting this

Leslie7

Me: no score first attempt, that's a goal line drop out 😌

Ken Fang -- Very Asian4

In hockey, that is called a juicy rebound.

Rus McLaughlin2

The one-two shot of Belgium's Courtois doing the Jim From the Office look, followed by that kid doing that thing... is why you don't ever talk shit at #WorldCup. Karma is waiting for you when you do. (Well done, whoever's calling cameras in the booth.)

Men in Blazers Media Network

@meninblazers.bsky.social

Mikel Merino — AGAIN ✅ Belgium out in the quarters — AGAIN ✅ Spain-France set for a major semi-final — AGAIN ✅

4045d ago

Fabrizio Romano (MIRROR)

@fabrizioromano.yopro20.com

Two goals at the very end. Portugal first, Belgium then. Again Mikel Merino. 🍿🇪🇸

3745d ago

Rob Kenton

@robkenton.bsky.social

Dear Mikel Arteta, If we are level late on in a Champions League Final please bring Mikel Merino on. Thankyou for your attention to this matter.

3245d ago

NBC Sports Soccer

@nbcsportsoccer.bsky.social

MERINOOOOO! 🔥 With just two minutes on the pitch, Mikel Merino buries an 88' STUNNER to send Spain to the FIFA World Cup Semifinals! 🇪🇸 via @TelemundoSports

2045d ago

Annette Gordon-Reed

@agordonreed.bsky.social

I actually watched the Spain-Belgium match. My first time watching a pro soccer contest.

3045d ago

bporiordan81.bsky.social2

Decent first game to see

EattGreedy1

It was fine; but it gets way better! Luckily, I think with soccer you can judge pretty quickly 😆

Dave McC

@mccdave.bsky.social

Yet another game where Spain need a goal. Mikel Merino can solve this problem whenever de la Fuente is ready.

2645d ago

Quoting this

Dave McC6

He’s done it again! Magnificent Merino!

1.76 Acres

@onepointsevensixacr.es

There are a lot of really good players who don’t do anything like what they do for their club, when they get to the World Cup. And there are also not so great players who do cool stuff they *don’t* do at their club, when they get to the World Cup. And then there’s Mikel Merino.

2645d ago

3 sources

ctvnews.caMikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals bbc.co.ukWorld Cup 2026: Spain vs Belgium - Mikel Merino goal secures Spain's place in quarter-finals nytimes.comMerino strikes late as Spain beat Belgium to set up World Cup date with France: Live updates

World Cup 2026: France reach semifinals; Quansah banned two matchessports AJ Dybantsa scores 27 in Las Vegas Summer League debut vs Darryn Petersonsports Bam Adebayo reportedly strikes Tyler Herro in Las Vegas altercationsports Mikel Merino scores 88th-minute winner as Spain beat Belgium 2-1sports

Mikel Merino scores 88th-minute winner as Spain beat Belgium 2-1

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