Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain once again to help them beat Belgium 2-1 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash in Los Angeles. Merino, who scored the winning goal against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, put Spain in the lead with an 88th-minute goal, scoring the rebound after an error by Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Lammens came on after Belgium’s legendary goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off due to injury. In the first half, Spain took the lead in the 30th minute with a goal from midfielder Fabian Ruiz. But Belgium fought back, equalising in the 40th minute with a brilliant header from forward Charles De Ketelaere. Belgium’s goal ended Spain’s world record run of 649 minutes without conceding a goal in World Cups. Spain teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also achieved the record for the most World Cup appearances by the age of 18