Mikel Merino entered as a substitute and made an immediate impact by delivering a decisive late strike as Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Key takeaways
- Mikel Merino scored a late, game-changing goal after coming on as a substitute.
- Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinal in Inglewood.
- Belgium’s bid to reach the semifinals fell short after their run ended following a Round of 16 win over the United States.
- Spain are chasing a second World Cup title after winning the tournament for the first time in 2010.
Spain’s late breakthrough
With the match in the later stages, Spain found a way to turn pressure into points when Merino, introduced from the bench, scored a meaningful goal at the end to help seal the 2-1 result. The win sends Spain through the quarterfinal stage and keeps their World Cup momentum going in the knockout rounds.
Belgium’s knockout journey ends
For Belgium, the pursuit of a semifinal spot—carried by their so-called Golden Generation—came to nothing. After overcoming the United States in the Round of 16, Belgium were unable to repeat the feat, with Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard among those who could not produce another win in the quarterfinal.
Spain aiming to build on past success
Spain, the reigning European Championship winners, are now working toward adding another World Cup trophy to their history. The squad’s quest is fueled by the fact that their last World Cup title came in 2010, and this campaign has them seeking to capture the top prize once again.
