Spain v Belgium player ratings: Mikel Merino inspires La Roja with substitute cameo | OneFootball

Mikel Merino inspired Spain football to overcome Belgium football in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals to set up a blockbuster clash with European heavyweights France in the next round.

The two teams faced off at the Los Angeles Stadium and it was Spain who struck first following a slick move down the right. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro played a delightful one-two to beat a defensively minded Jeremy Doku before Porro’s cross picked out Dani Olmo in the box. His effort was stopped by Thibaut Courtois but the goalkeeper could only palm the ball into the path of Fabian Ruiz who slotted it home.

Charles De Ketelaere equalised for the Red Devils before the end of the first half having met the cross from Timothy Castagne on the right. He showed his strength to hold back Pau Cubarsi before heading in his goal.

Belgium had created nine goal involvements off the bench leading up to this match but it was Merino’s cameo that decided the outcome. Cubarsi smoked a shot from range that was spilled by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Merino was on hand to pounce and score with his first touch.

With Spain and France now through the World Cup’s final four are taking shape and next up England take on Norway on Saturday evening.

Here’s how the players rated from the second World Cup quarter-final.

Spain

Unai Simon, 6: Could do nothing about Belgium’s equaliser though did concede for the first time at the 2026 World Cup.

Pedro Porro, 7: Fiery throughout, determined to deny Doku in defence and aggressive in attack.

Pau Cubarsi, 5: Picked out Baena with a delightful pass over the top but was muscled away from the ball for De Ketelaere’s goal and picked up a needless yellow card for a foul on De Bruyne.

Aymeric Laporte, 6: His tussle with Lukaku was a good and he came out of it better off. Made a last ditch clearance to keep Spain in front.

Marc Cucurella, 6: Provided a solid option for Baena on the overlap during Spain’s attacking moves and solid at the back.

Rodri, 6: Fizzed a shot at goal after meeting Ruiz’s pass but was denied by Ngoy’s block. Covered defensively for Yamal’s lack of backtracking to aid Porro on Spain’s left side

Fabian Ruiz, 8: Slotted home a tap it to fire Spain into the lead and score his first World Cup goal.

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Fabian Ruiz sent Spain into the lead (Getty)

Lamine Yamal, 7: Showed his trickery with an early press and weave away from Doku and curled a shot wide of the far post. A nightmare for Belgium’s defence especially up against De Cuyper.

Dani Olmo, 6: Had a deflected shot palmed to Ruiz for the opening goal and was influential around the penalty area.

Alex Baena, 6: Emulated Road Runner with the amount of runs he made all over the pitch and especially in the final third. A constant danger but lacked the clinical finish.

Mikel Oyarzabal, 5: Didn’t have too many chances but was denied by Courtois in the second half.

Subs: Pedri 5, Ferran Torres 5, Nico Williams 5, Mikel Merino 9

Belgium

Thibaut Courtois, 6: Denied Olmo but pushed the ball to Ruiz for the opener and fumbled another shot from Yamal. Turned it on in the second half before getting injured.

Timothy Castagne, 7: Got forward and supplied Belgium’s equaliser with a pinpoint cross from the right

Nathan Ngoy, 7: Made a great block to deny Rodri from a set piece early in the first half

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Charles De Ketelaere nodded Beligum back on level terms (Reuters)

Brandon Mechele, 5: Not terrible, not spectacular, perfectly average.

Maxim De Cupyer, 5: Brave and willing to get forward to help out the attack especially under the threat of Yamal’s pace on the counter.

Nicolas Raskin, 6: Put a shift in and worked hard all over the pitch.

Hans Vanaken, 5: A late replacement for Youri Tielemans and took a little while to get into the game.

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Thibaut Courtois was replaced in the second half after a thigh injury (Reuters)

Jeremy Doku, 7: Lively and sharp as usual. Rapid on the counterattack and got the better of Porro during their one-on-one battles. Worked hard defensively but beaten by a one-two between Yamal and Porro that led to opening goal.

Kevin De Bruyne, 6: Had too few opportunities to create chances for Belgium, showed sparks of his brilliance but not enough.

Leandro Trossard, 5: Had a quiet night and subbed after an hour.

Charles De Ketelaere, 8: Great strength to hold off Cubarsi long enough to nod Belgium back on level terms. Still doesn’t look the most natural up top but took his chance well.