Merino’s heroics save Spain once again
If Spain need a goal, Luis de la Fuente knows who to turn to. For the second knockout match running, Mikel Merino was introduced off the bench and found the decisive goal, with his late strike handing the European champions a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in their quarter-final clash.
With the score locked at 1-1 after Charles De Ketelaere’s header cancelled out Fabián Ruiz’s first-half opener, we looked set for extra time. But after entering the action late on, super-sub Merino pounced on Senne Lammens’ costly error, smashing a close-range rebound into the roof of the net on 88 minutes to seal Spain’s semi-final spot.
Merino’s heroics against both Portugal and Belgium ensure he’s the first player in World Cup history to score the winning goal in two different knockout matches as a substitute.
Post-match, de la Fuente described the Arsenal man as “world class”, and it’s easy to see why – Merino’s physicality and attacking instinct provide Spain with a different dimension in the box. His productive form does give de la Fuente an intriguing selection headache: should the head coach continue relying on Merino as an impact substitute or throw him in from the start?
The 30-year-old has done all he can and demonstrated exactly what he offers. Spain’s current formula works, but it would be a risk to leave Merino on the bench against an in form France side in their semi-final on July 14.
Yamal backs a formidable Spain to strike fear into France
It’s confirmed – Spain will face France for a place in this year’s World Cup final and Lamine Yamal is relishing the challenge.
“If anyone should be afraid, it’s them. We’ve eliminated them [from Euro 2024 and the 2024-25 Nations League],” said Yamal. “We are two great teams, for me, the two best, but we have no fear.”
The winger’s confidence is backed by an array of mind-boggling statistics, including the fact that Spain have now set the outright longest unbeaten run in their history, avoiding defeat in their previous 36 matches since a 1-0 loss to Colombia in March 2024 (W27 D9).
De la Fuente is also enjoying a formidable run as Spain’s head coach, with La Roja now having progressed from all seven of their knockout games at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros). The only manager to advance from their first eight such ties with a European nation is Vittorio Pozzo, who did it with Italy between 1934 and 1938.
Yamal’s self-belief will collide with France’s poise and self-assurance – whatever happens, it promises to be a fascinating encounter.
Belgium run out of luck with injuries
Thibaut Courtois’ withdrawal due to an apparent thigh injury proved to be the final straw for Belgium, who eventually succumbed to Spanish pressure with just two minutes of normal time to go.
Lammens became the first goalkeeper other than the Real Madrid shotstopper to represent Belgium at a World Cup since Geert de Vlieger against Brazil in 2002, and Courtois’ absence ultimately cost the Red Devils.
Belgium were also dealt another massive blow before kick-off as captain Youri Tielemans got injured in the warm-up. He joined Aston Villa teammate Amadou Onana on the sidelines, meaning Rudi Garcia was without his first-choice midfield pivot.
Furthermore, Romelu Lukaku’s domestic season has been hampered by injury and the striker has only been fit enough to start one game at the tournament. The striker was introduced in the second half, but, like the rest of his teammates, he couldn’t wrestle back control of the match from an incessant Spain.
As if Belgium’s task against the reigning European champions wasn’t hard enough, these injuries and fitness concerns made their task almost impossible.
Who will prevail in the race for the Golden Boot?
The make up of the second World Cup semifinal will be decided today as Norway meet England in Miami and holders Argentina clash with Switzerland in Kansas City.
Can Haaland keep Norway’s fairytale World Cup return on track?
After a 28-year hiatus from the global stage, Norway are gearing up for their first World Cup quarter-final in the country’s history.
It’s been a dream tournament for the Scandinavian nation, and it hit new, glorious heights when they defeated five-time World champions Brazil 2-1 in the last 16 thanks to a clinically dispatched double from Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker already has seven goals at this tournament, and against Brazil, he became just the eighth European player to score in each of his opening four World Cup appearances, and first since Christian Vieri for Italy in 1998.
Could Haaland score in five consecutive games at his first World Cup? The previous player to achieve this was Colombia’s James Rodríguez in 2014, while Germany’s Gerd Müller was the last European to do this, back in 1970.
The Norwegian is just one strike behind Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi in the 2026 World Cup scoring charts, so with the Golden Boot firmly in his sights, he’ll aim to extend his nation’s fairytale tournament, while dashing English dreams.
🇳🇴🏴 Norway-England match preview
England aim to hold their nerve
England showcased a different side to their game and personality in the previous round, digging deep in uncompromising and testing circumstances to beat Mexico 3-2 at an electric Azteca.
Jude Bellingham netted twice in 98 seconds to propel the Three Lions into dreamland, before Julián Quiñones pulled a goal back for the co-hosts. Jarrel Quansah was then dismissed shortly after the break, but England reclaimed their two-goal advantage through Harry Kane’s penalty. Despite Raúl Jiménez’s spot-kick setting up a nervy finish, England held on for one of their greatest victories in World Cup history.
With their backs against the wall, England delivered, but Haaland has ramped up the pressure on Thomas Tuchel’s side, calling them the “clear favourites” to win this tie.
England notoriously stumble in the latter stages of the competition – they’ve been eliminated from five of their previous six World Cup knockout matches against European opposition and each of their last three in succession.
For the 2024 European Championship runners-up, this quarter-final is both a psychological and physical battle for a nation desperate for World Cup glory.
Two worlds collide as Argentina and Switzerland clash for a semi-final spot
In their previous two knockout games, Argentina have flirted with the prospect of a monumental World Cup exit. But their fears have never been as palpable as when Egypt stormed into a 2-0 lead midway through the second half.
Lionel Messi had already missed a penalty before the break and was really struggling to break down Egypt’s stubborn defence. But almost out of nowhere, in under four second half minutes, he registered an assist and then a goal to haul the scoreline back to 2-2, before Enzo Fernández’s last-ditch winner.
It means the 39-year-old has now scored in nine successive World Cup matches, and he’s also the first player in World Cup history to net in six consecutive knockout stage outings.
Switzerland have only conceded three goals in five games at this tournament, keeping clean sheets in their latest two fixtures. Their resolve will be put to the ultimate test against the unstoppable Messi.
In over 120 minutes of football, Colombia were unable to find a way past the Swiss, who won 4-3 in the penalty shootout as Gregor Kobel crucially saved Juan Hernández’s attempt.
Cape Verde and Egypt have set the blueprint for how to contain Argentina, but given Switzerland’s added defensive quality and steel, they could potentially frustrate the World Cup holders even more than their previous opponents.
