Spain v Belgium LIVE: Super-sub Merino strikes late winner again to seal World Cup quarter-final win

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The Independent

·10 July 2026

Spain v Belgium LIVE: Super-sub Merino strikes late winner again to seal World Cup quarter-final win

Spain have overcome Belgium 2-1 in their World Cup quarter-final at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

It was a Fabian Ruiz goal that gave the European champions the lead on the half-hour mark, as he tucked away a close-range shot after Thibaut Courtois palmed Dani Olmo’s shot right into his path. However, shortly before half-time, Charles De Ketelaere nodded home a cross to bring Belgium level in timely fashion.

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It marked the first time that Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side had conceded at this tournament, and it was an encouraging response by Belgium after they lost their captain Youri Tielemans to a pre-match injury – after the midfielder had already been named in the starting XI.

Another injury struck Belgium late in the game, though, with goalkeeper Courtois going off in tears. And his replacement Senne Lammens spilled the ball to Mikel Merino in the final minutes, allowing the Spaniard to smash home a rebound for a 2-1 win.