Can Spain's substitutes, led by Merino, outshine France in the semifinals?

Mikel Merino emerged as the standout player in Spain's quarterfinal match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, scoring the winning goal that secured a 2-1 victory for his team. His late strike propelled "La Roja" into the semifinals, where they are set to face France.

The decisive goal came in the 88th minute after Merino entered the match as a substitute, granting Spain qualification in one of the tournament's most thrilling encounters.

Merino's Impact Praised by Spanish Media

The Spanish newspaper Sport described Merino as the key figure in Spain's victory, highlighting his intervention in the final minutes as a complete game-changer. The outlet referred to his performance as a new miracle that led Spain to the World Cup semifinals.

Marca emphasized Merino's decisive character, portraying him as the hero Spain needed in a critical moment. They noted that his goal was scored against substitute goalkeeper Seny Lemmens, who replaced Thibaut Courtois due to injury.

As highlighted by the sports daily AS, Merino needed only a few minutes to demonstrate his importance after coming on. He quickly left his mark by scoring the qualification goal, underscoring the effectiveness of the substitutes in coach Luis de la Fuente's lineup.

Mundo Deportivo pointed out that Spain faced a tough opponent as expected, with Belgium delivering a strong performance. They noted that Merino appeared at the crucial moment to lead Spain to victory.

Upcoming Semifinal Showdown

With this win, Spain secured a semifinal clash against France in the 2026 World Cup, setting up a highly anticipated match between two of the tournament's leading contenders for the title.