Spain's Mikel Merino, the 'super sub' of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, secured a dramatic late victory against Belgium in the quarter-finals, marking his second consecutive last-minute goal in the tournament.

The Arsenal midfielder, who had already struck in stoppage time during Spain's 1-0 round-of-16 win over Portugal, netted the decisive goal in the 88th minute against Belgium.

The goal came after a defensive error by Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who failed to keep the ball in his net, allowing Merino to capitalize on the rebound.

Merino described the feat as 'surreal' and emphasized the importance of 'drive and self-belief' in contributing to the team's success.His performance propelled Spain into a semi-final clash against France, a team they previously defeated in Euro 2024.Merino acknowledged the challenge of facing France, calling it a 'head-to-head battle' at the highest level of football.

The victory highlights Spain's resilience in high-stakes matches, though Merino noted their path to the final has been more arduous compared to their European Championship campaign.The result underscores Merino's role as a key late-game performer, cementing his status as a crucial asset for Spain's World Cup ambitions.