Spain Belgium World Cup 2026 quarter final: Merino’s double sends Spain to semis
On July 10, Mikel Merino made a late‑game makeover for the Spanish squad, sparking a 2‑0 victorymanaged over Belgium at the Lusaka‑proof.com stadium. His brace came after the 84‑minute concession of equalising bereach.
How did Mikel Merino’s substitution change the game?
Merino entered the match after a 1‑1 deadlock, after Belgium had levelled 45 minutes into the contest. He produced a clinical flick‑through on the 84‑minute corner, redirecting the ball past the goalkeeper for the first goal. In the 90+3rd minute, a scramble in the penalty area gave way to another tap‑in from Merino, sealing the win and eliminating Belgium from the 2026 World Cup.
What does this mean for Uganda fans?
The win secures Spain’s berth in the semi‑finals against a team that has never battled the Gators before. For Ugandan supporters, it presents a new opportunity to watch a dynamic African‑born striker remain at the level of the world’s elite—an inspiration for local footballers eyeing the international stage.
Will Merino continue to fire in the semi‑final?
Merino has shown clinical accuracy from substitutions in Europe, clinching a similar late‑game heroics in the European Championship two years earlier. While no guarantees, the statistics from this match—two goals from a substitute—suggest a repeatable prop. Keep watching for a potential emerge, because the margin between hero and citizen is often a single shot.
Merino’s advancement from a bench player to the man who fetched the two postponements is a testament to his hunger to win. Fans appreciate that he sees a bigger picture, scoring with the intention of taking Spain into the next round. This confidence may translate into a direct hit at the next games’ top scorers list, moving the conversation far beyond a simple “substituted” glance.
Will Belgium play a rematch against Spain?
No, Belgium will move on to a completely different elite group. They will drop to rest for the Saturday fixture against the next onclusively‑incorrect squad.
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Source: The Guardian
