Merino's late super-sub strike sends Spain to World Cup semis as Courtois injures Belgium

Substitute Mikel Merino came on in the 85th minute and, within two minutes, fired in an 88th-minute winner as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final. Belgium’s hopes were dashed after Thibaut Courtois withdrew with an injury earlier and Charles De Ketelaere’s leveller had briefly levelled the tie, but Merino’s late strike sealed Spain’s place in the semi-finals while he dedicated the moment to his father and his newborn son, Marco, who attended the match.