​Mikel Merino’s inspired display helped Spain push past Belgium in a World Cup 2026 quarter-final, setting up a highly anticipated semifinal showdown with France. The match unfolded at the Los Angeles Stadium, where Spain surged ahead with a patient, sharp combination down the right flank. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro linked up with a crisp one-two that sliced through a Belgium side content to sit deep, before Porro delivered a precise cross that found Dani Olmo in the box. The Spain forward’s shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois, but the veteran goalkeeper could only divert the ball into the path of Fabian Ruiz, who buried the rebound to put La Roja in front.
Belgium’s equaliser arrived before the break when Charles De Ketelaere met Timothy Castagne’s delivery from the right, showing strength to hold off Pau Cubarsi and steer a header into the net as the ball bounced back into play. The comeback looked on the cards for the Red Devils as they had plans on the bench—nine goal involvements were created off the bench in the lead-up to the match—but it was Merino’s late intervention that ultimately tipped the balance Spain’s way.
Pau Cubarsi had fired a fierce shot that required a save from Belgium’s substitute keeper Senne Lammens, and Merino was on hand to pounce with his first touch, finding the net and sealing the win for Spain. The result leaves Spain and France progressing to the World Cup final four, with England versus Norway awaiting in the other semi on Saturday.
Now we turn to the player ratings from the second World Cup quarter-final. Unai Simón faced a difficult test against Belgium’s equaliser but otherwise kept his discipline, as he conceded for the first time in the 2026 tournament. Pedro Porro delivered another strong showing, combative in defence and relentless in attack, earning a 7 for his all-action display. Pau Cubarsi, who played a key ball over the top to Baena, was blighted by a yellow card and a physical, if slightly off-colour, performance, rated a 5. Aymeric Laporte’s duel with Romelu Lukaku offered a competitive battle, finishing with a solid 6 as he recovered well and made a critical last-ditch clearance to preserve Spain’s lead. Marc Cucurella earned a solid 6, offering width and support on the left as Spain built forward.
Rodri’s presence was felt with disciplined shielding and an early run that was blocked by Ngoy, contributing to a 6 rating for his work in front of the back four. Fabian Ruiz, who opened the scoring and laid the path for the win, deservedly led the way with an 8 for his decisive goal and overall control in the middle of the park. Lamine Yamal, ever a constant threat, earned a 7 for his early press and mazy approach play, even if a curling shot narrowly missed the target. Dani Olmo, who helped engineer the create-and-dream moment with the assist that led to Ruiz’s goal, was rated 6 for his influence around the box. Alex Baena’s tireless energy and frequent forays into dangerous positions earned him a 6, reflecting how his runs stretched Belgium and kept their defence on edge, though his finishing let him down at times.
Mikel Oyarzabal, while busy and willing, didn’t have enough clear opportunities and was rated a 5, underscoring that more production in the final third would have helped translate possession into a broader advantage. Overall, the depth and composure of Spain’s performance, inspired by Merino’s late intervention and the class of Ruiz’s finish, left the door open for a blockbuster clash with France as the World Cup path to glory moves forward.