Mikel Merino creates FIFA World Cup history, becomes first player to...
Mikel Merino made FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first player to score winning goals as a substitute in two different knockout matches. His late-game heroics helped Spain defeat Belgium and advance to the semifinals.
Why it matters
This performance highlights a rare tactical achievement in international football and secures Spain's position in the tournament's final stages.
Mikel Merino continued his remarkable impact off the bench by firing Spain into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals with another decisive late goal, as La Roja edged Belgium 2-1 in their quarterfinal at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday. Introduced in the 86th minute, the Spain midfielder needed only two minutes to make the difference. Merino capitalised on a rebound in the 88th minute to score what proved to be the winning goal, sending the 2010 world champions into the last four, where they will face France. The strike came just days after the 30-year-old produced another dramatic cameo in the Round of 16. Against Portugal, Merino was also brought on from the bench before scoring the only goal of the contest in stoppage time to seal Spain's passage to the quarterfinals. Those two interventions have now earned Merino a place in FIFA World Cup history.
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