Spain 2-1 Belgium Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Mikel Merino's late goal knocks out Belgium in quarter-final

Full Time: Spain 2-1 Belgium

Spain are through to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after surviving a tense finish to edge Belgium 2-1. Mikel Merino once again proved the match-winner, coming off the bench to score the decisive goal after Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsi's long-range effort.

Belgium pushed until the final whistle and squandered a golden stoppage-time opportunity, but Luis de la Fuente's side held firm to set up a semi-final clash with France.

Spain 2-1 Belgium | 90+2'

Belgium have let a huge opportunity slip. Alexis Saelemaekers races onto a through ball after Unai Simon charges off his line, leaving the Spain goal completely exposed.

From a tight angle, Saelemaekers elects to square the ball for Romelu Lukaku instead of shooting. Aymeric Laporte reads it perfectly, sliding across to clear the danger before Simon gratefully gathers the loose ball.

Spain 2-1 Belgium | 88'

Mikel Merino has done it again. Moments after coming off the bench, the Spain midfielder pounces on a costly error from Senne Lammens to fire La Roja into the lead.

Pau Cubarsi's long-range effort is spilled by the Belgium goalkeeper, and Merino reacts quickest inside the six-yard box to bundle home the rebound. Spain are now just minutes away from a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 86'

Kevin De Bruyne's evening ends with a yellow card after the Belgium captain cynically pulls back Ferran Torres to stop a dangerous Spanish attack.

Rudi Garcia immediately withdraws his skipper, sending on Alexis Saelemaekers for the closing minutes. Spain also make a change of their own, with knockout specialist Mikel Merino replacing Dani Olmo as Luis de la Fuente searches for a late winner.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 81'

Belgium are holding their breath once again. Kevin De Bruyne goes down clutching his leg, briefly raising fears of another injury after Thibaut Courtois' enforced exit.

Fortunately for Rudi Garcia, it appears to be nothing more than cramp. The midfielder is soon back on his feet, offering Belgium a timely boost as the clock ticks down.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 79'

Luis de la Fuente makes another attacking switch, with Nico Williams replacing Mikel Oyarzabal as Spain push for a late winner.

The pressure is mounting on Belgium. Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal almost carve open the defence with a slick one-two inside the box, but Nathan Ngoy reads the danger brilliantly to make a vital interception and keep the scores level.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 72'

Talk about being thrown into the deep end. Senne Lammens is making his FIFA World Cup debut after replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois in the biggest match of Belgium's campaign.

The Manchester United goalkeeper is earning just his third senior cap for Belgium and now has the daunting task of keeping Spain at bay in the closing stages of this finely poised quarter-final.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 71'

Belgium have suffered a huge blow. Thibaut Courtois, who looked uncomfortable walking off for the hydration break, is unable to continue despite attempting to shake off the problem. The veteran goalkeeper leaves the pitch in tears.

Senne Lammens is called into action for the remainder of the quarter-final, with Belgium now forced to navigate the closing stages without their experienced No. 1.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 66'

Play comes to a halt with Thibaut Courtois sitting down near the edge of his penalty area. There is little concern on the Belgium bench, with backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens not being readied, suggesting the veteran is simply taking a breather.

The stoppage also provides the perfect opportunity for the scheduled hydration break, allowing both managers to gather their players for fresh instructions before the final stretch.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 63'

The referee briefly halts play for the scheduled hydration break as players from both sides head to the touchline for instructions and a chance to recover.

The contest remains finely poised at 1-1, with both Spain and Belgium creating openings in an increasingly open second half.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 61'

The tempo has shot up after the substitutions. Lamine Yamal skips past Joaquin Syes and unleashes a fierce effort that forces Thibaut Courtois into a sharp one-handed save.

Belgium respond immediately on the counter through Jeremy Doku, whose dangerous delivery is aimed at Romelu Lukaku. Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi combine to snuff out the threat, with the referee unmoved despite loud Belgian appeals for handball.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 60'

Rudi Garcia responds with a triple substitution as Belgium look to wrestle back the initiative. Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Joaquin Syes are introduced in a bold tactical switch.

Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken and Maxim De Cuyper make way, with Garcia turning to experience and fresh legs as the quarter-final enters a crucial phase.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 66'

Luis de la Fuente makes his first changes of the evening, introducing Ferran Torres and Pedri as Spain look to regain control in a finely balanced contest.

Fabian Ruiz and Alex Baena make way, with the Spain boss turning to fresh legs and added creativity in search of a breakthrough in the final quarter of the match.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 52'

Spain are beginning to crank up the pressure. A frantic scramble on the edge of Belgium's box falls kindly for Lamine Yamal, whose effort takes a crucial deflection and spins narrowly wide.

The resulting corner creates another opening as the ball reaches Dani Olmo, but the midfielder cannot keep the attack alive, allowing Belgium to escape another warning.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 48'

The match has burst into life after the restart. Belgium nearly capitalise on a loose Spanish pass, but the final ball towards Leandro Trossard is just overhit.

Spain respond instantly as Lamine Yamal breaks in behind the Belgian defence. Thibaut Courtois wins the one-on-one, although the save is academic with the assistant referee raising the flag for offside.

Marc Cucurella has been at the heart of the early action after the restart. The Spain full-back is furious after Michael Oliver penalises him for a push on Leandro Trossard.

Moments later, Charles De Ketelaere glides past Cucurella with some clever footwork, but Belgium's promising move comes to an end as the ball runs out of play.

Spain 1-1 Belgium | 46'

The second half is underway, with Spain kicking things off after a frustrating end to the opening period.

Belgium head into the restart with the momentum following their late equaliser, while Luis de la Fuente's side will be eager to regain control. An absorbing 45 minutes await.

An absorbing first half in Boston ends all square.

Spain looked destined to take a deserved lead into the break after dominating possession and creating the better chances, with Fabian Ruiz eventually converting after Dani Olmo's effort was saved. Lamine Yamal also grew into the game, repeatedly troubling Belgium with his direct running and forcing Thibaut Courtois into a fine save from a free-kick.

But Belgium showed exactly why they've remained dangerous throughout. Having absorbed wave after wave of Spanish pressure, the Red Devils struck with clinical precision as Charles De Ketelaere rose brilliantly to head home Timothy Castagne's cross, ending Spain's remarkable run of over 600 World Cup minutes without conceding.

Spain have largely controlled the contest. Belgium have landed the bigger punch. With a semi-final against France awaiting the winners, the second half promises to be a blockbuster.

We'll have five minutes of added time at the end of an engrossing first half. Spain looked in complete control after Fabian Ruiz's opener, but Belgium have hit back through Charles De Ketelaere and now head into stoppage time with the momentum firmly on their side. Can either team land one more blow before the break?