In the 2026 World Cup quarter-final, with the score locked at 1-1 and extra time looming, a substitute with a reputation for late heroics pounced on a goalkeeper's mistake and delivered the winning goal with his first touch. That man was Mikel Merino, and his 87th-minute strike sent Spain to the semi-finals – completing a remarkable hat-trick of clutch knockout goals for his country.
The match itself was a classic. Belgium had taken the lead early in the second half through Charles De Ketelaere, cancelling out Fabian Ruiz's opener for Spain. But the Belgians were dealt a major blow before kick-off when star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury after just 14 minutes, replaced by Manchester United's Senne Lammens. Lammens, making his World Cup debut, had a solid game until the dying moments when he fumbled a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Merino to tap in the winner.
“Mikel Merino's late winner for Spain against Belgium in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final exemplified the role of a super-sub.”
Merino's knack for decisive late goals is no fluke. At Euro 2024 he scored a stoppage-time winner to send Spain into the semi-finals, and in the 2026 World Cup last-16 he repeated the feat against Portugal. The midfielder, who plays his club football for Arsenal in the Premier League, has become the ultimate super-sub – a player who changes games from the bench. His celebration, arms outstretched, has become a familiar sight for Spanish fans.
For UK readers, the result has direct implications. Spain will now face France in the semi-finals, and Merino's form will be a major talking point ahead of that match. Meanwhile, Lammens' error will raise questions about Manchester United's goalkeeping depth, especially with Courtois' injury history. The game also highlighted the tactical importance of substitutions in modern football – Spain's manager Luis de la Fuente's decision to bring on Merino and replace Pedri with Ruiz (who scored the first goal) proved decisive.
Q: Who is Mikel Merino? Mikel Merino is a Spanish midfielder who plays for Arsenal. He has developed a reputation for scoring crucial late goals for Spain, including winners in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and the 2026 World Cup knockout stages.
Q: What happened to Thibaut Courtois? Courtois, Belgium's star goalkeeper, was substituted in the 14th minute after picking up an injury. He was seen in tears on the bench as Lammens took over.
Q: Who is Senne Lammens and why did his mistake matter? Senne Lammens is a Belgian goalkeeper signed by Manchester United. His fumble on a routine shot in the 87th minute gifted Merino the winning goal and ended Belgium's World Cup hopes.
What happens next? Spain will face France in the semi-finals in Dallas. The match will be a test of whether Merino can produce another moment of magic, while Belgium will rue what might have been had Courtois stayed fit. The football world will also watch to see if Lammens can recover from this high-profile error.