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

sportsJul 10, 2026441,528

Mikel Merino scored an 88th-minute winner when he pounced on a rebound after substitute Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold a shot, giving Spain a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals. Merino came on as a substitute and struck just minutes after entering, sealing Spain's place in the World Cup semifinals against France. The goal completed a late turnaround after a tight match that had been level before Merino's finish. The strike continues a pattern of decisive late goals for Merino in major tournaments, joining a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the round of 16 at this World Cup and a 119th-minute goal against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.

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

4385h 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 Voge29

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.

3325h 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

875h 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

695h 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 Rankin4

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.

455h 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

615h 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

.14

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

475h 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

355h 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 ✅

405h ago

Fabrizio Romano (MIRROR)

@fabrizioromano.yopro20.com

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

375h 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.

325h 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

195h ago

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.

265h 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.

245h ago