Mikel Merino scores 2-1 for Spain against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

This Friday, July 10, 2026, the Spanish national team secured an electrifying comeback against Belgium, driven by a crucial goal from Mikel Merino in the 88th minute of the match. The clash, part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, keeps the fans in complete anticipation, as the duel continues in real time, with the score registering 2-1 in favor of the Spanish. The final stretch of the game suggests moments of high tension, as both teams seek to settle the score.

Spain reverses score at the end of the match with decisive goal

The confrontation became even more dramatic in the final moments, with Spain, who had opened the scoring and suffered a equalizer from Belgium, managing to regain the lead. The peak of euphoria for Spanish fans occurred in the 88th minute, after a series of offensive attacks. Player Mikel Merino, who had been called up recently, demonstrated a great sense of opportunity by taking advantage of a surplus in the penalty area and finishing with precision towards the goal.

The scoring of this goal not only changed the score to 2-1, but also had a considerable impact on the mood of both teams. The tactical choice of Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, to introduce Merino in place of Dani Olmo, proved to be the right one, producing an almost immediate result and renewing expectations of triumph for the Spanish team in this challenging game.

Key moments: the highlights of this fierce duel

Check out the most important moments that defined the clash between Spain and Belgium, a confrontation full of emotion and changes of scenery:

• 88′Game-winning goal for Spain! Mikel Merino takes advantage of the rebound in the middle of the goal and finishes, putting the team in front.
• 88′Pau Cubarsi, from Spain, takes a low shot from distance, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens makes a good save.
• 86′Luis de la Fuente makes a change in Spain, with the departure of Dani Olmo and the entry of Mikel Merino, who would be decisive.
• 86′Belgium also makes a substitution: Kevin De Bruyne leaves, making way for Alexis Saelemaekers.
• 85′Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne receives a yellow card for a foul and soon after has a dangerous shot saved by Unai Simon.
• 79′Spain exchanges Mikel Oyarzabal for Nico Williams in search of renewing the attack.
• 74′The audience present at the stadium is 70,492 spectators, highlighting the grandeur of the confrontation.
• 71′Moment of concern for Belgium: starting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is injured and needs to be replaced by Senne Lammens.
• 67′A break for athletes to hydrate is taken due to the strong heat.
• 63′Spain presses and Mikel Oyarzabal has a shot towards the right corner that is saved at the last second by Thibaut Courtois.
• 62′Kevin De Bruyne demonstrates his skill with a low shot after a rebound, but Unai Simon makes a spectacular save, avoiding the second Belgian goal.
• 61′Belgium makes several changes: Romelu Lukaku for Hans Vanaken, Maxim De Cuyper for Roberto Seys and Leandro Trossard for Axel Witsel.
• 55′Spain makes more changes, with Fabian Ruiz being replaced by Pedri and Alejandro Baena giving way to Ferran Torres.
• 50′Jeremy Doku, from Belgium, tries the individual play, but the Spanish defense clears the danger, resulting in a corner.
• 46′The second half begins with Michael Oliver’s whistle.
• 45+6′The referee ends the first half, and the players go to the changing rooms after 5 minutes of added time.
• 43′Pau Cubarsi, from Spain, is warned with a yellow card for a harsh tackle.
• 41′Answer from Belgium! Charles De Ketelaere heads the ball into the back of the net, leveling the match after a precise cross from Timothy Castagne.
• 30′Spain opens the scoring! Fabian Ruiz takes advantage of the surplus inside the area and shoots low, finding the net for the first time.
• 23′First break for hydration in a climate of intense heat, necessary for athletes.
• 13′Spain presses and Alejandro Baena has a shot blocked inside the area, showing the Belgian defense is attentive.
• 2′The match begins with referee Michael Oliver calling a foul on Nicolás Raskin, from Belgium, in the first moments.

During the second stage, the two coaches made several changes with the aim of changing the dynamics of the game or consolidating the lead. In the Spanish team, the additions of Pedri and Ferran Torres, at the beginning of the second half, sought to intensify creativity and attack, while the replacement of Oyarzabal by Nico Williams aimed to sustain the attack on the flanks. Luis de la Fuente’s choice to include Mikel Merino on the pitch proved to be the most decisive, culminating in the turning goal.

The Belgian team also made important moves in its squad. The departure of Kevin De Bruyne, a fundamental player in the team, and the entry of Alexis Saelemaekers, indicated the search for new strategies. Furthermore, the exchange of Maxim De Cuyper, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard for Roberto Seys, Hans Vanaken and Axel Witsel, respectively, signaled an effort by coach Rudi Garcia to renew the team’s momentum and try to turn things around in the final moments. However, the most sensitive substitution was the forced departure of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to injury, which was replaced by Senne Lammens, requiring an adjustment in the Belgian defense at a critical period of the match.

The game was characterized by fierce direct confrontations in several sectors of the pitch. Athletes like Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo for Spain, and Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium, shone in creating attacking moves, putting rival defenses under constant pressure. Long-range shots and attacks from the flanks were tactics frequently employed, resulting in crucial saves and opportunities that almost turned into goals.

Set pieces also played an essential role, with corners and free kicks taken in strategic areas, keeping goalkeepers Unai Simon and Senne Lammens (Courtois’ replacement) in constant attention. The physical intensity of the clash was notable, with harsher moves that led referee Michael Oliver to show a yellow card, showing that the dispute for possession and marking were at a very high level, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the match.

With the score 2-1 for Spain and the game coming to an end but still ongoing, the atmosphere is one of pure tension. Extra time will be crucial, where a single mistake or success can seal the outcome of the match. Belgium, looking for the equalizer, will certainly increase its offensive, while Spain will seek to maintain the lead and, who knows, expand the result to confirm the victory.

The ability of both teams to maintain concentration and tactical organization in the last seconds will be fundamental. The remaining time still allows for twists and turns, and fans closely follow each pass, tackle and finish. The final result of this clash, which could have a major impact on the path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, remains undefined, fueling the suspense until the final whistle.