Mikel Merino capitalised on a mistake by Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens to score an 88th-minute winner, sealing Spain's World Cup quarter-final victory.
Key facts
- Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain.
- The goal came in the 88th minute.
- Merino pounced on a mistake by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
- The match was a World Cup quarter-final between Spain and Belgium.
- Spain won the tie.
Spain reached the next stage of the World Cup after Mikel Merino scored a late winner against Belgium in their quarter-final clash, according to the BBC.
The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when Merino seized on an error by Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens to put the ball into the net.
The timing of the goal left Belgium with little opportunity to respond, handing Spain a narrow victory in a closely contested fixture.
Lammens, who had come on as a substitute, saw his mistake prove costly at a crucial stage of the match, allowing Merino to capitalise.
The result advances Spain in the tournament, with the late goal proving the difference between the two sides in the quarter-final.
Why it matters
Quarter-final results shape the path to the World Cup final, and a single late goal can decide which nations advance. For Spain, Merino's strike keeps their tournament hopes alive, while the error underlines how decisive individual moments can be at the highest level of the game.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored the winning goal for Spain?
Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain in the 88th minute.
What led to the goal?
Merino pounced on a mistake by Belgium's substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, according to the BBC.
What stage of the World Cup was the match?
The match was a World Cup quarter-final between Spain and Belgium.