Spain triumphs in the quarter-final against Belgium: 'A blessing for us'

Spain triumphs in the quarter-final against Belgium: 'A blessing for us'

According to Vi.

Background

Mikel Merino, who was recently labeled a 'superhero' by the Spanish media, proved his worth to the national team with his winning goal against Belgium. His performances could be key to Spain's chances of success in the 2026 World Cup, especially as the team focuses on reaching the final.

Why this matters

Spain's victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup is an important step towards the title. Mikel Merino's winning goal highlights his growing role within the team, which could be crucial for Spain's ambitions in the tournament. The media sees this triumph as a confirmation of Spain's potential, especially in view of the semi-final.

Key points

• Spain triumphs in the quarter-final against Belgium: 'A blessing for us'.
• Spain defeated Belgium in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, with a strong performance despite some setbacks.
• Mikel Merino remains central to Spain's plans.

In the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, Spain managed to qualify for the semi-finals by beating Belgium. The Spanish media are full of praise for the performance of the team, which managed to achieve victory despite several setbacks.

"It was not a cliché," Mundo Deportivo's report about the match opens. National coach Luis de la Fuente had previously indicated that the match against Belgium would be one of the most difficult. In retrospect, he was right. The newspaper describes Spain as "hugely dominant", especially in the first half, when they deservedly took the lead.

However, the self-confidence seemed to be too great for a moment, as goalkeeper Simón suddenly had to concede his first goal of the tournament. This was a cold shower for Spain, but fortunately for the Spaniards, Thibaut Courtois' injury helped them get back into the game. The new Belgian goalkeeper, Lammens, was then put to the test and a shot from Cubarsí was released by him. It was Mikel Merino, who had been on the field for less than two minutes, who scored the winning goal.

Marca was quick to call Merino a "superhero" after his crucial contribution to the win. AS also acknowledged that Spain was somewhat fortunate with the injuries to the Belgian players. “It's a blessing and we are blessed,” the newspaper headline said. They praised the team for the good match and emphasized that, partly due to the injuries, the team's reputation was lived up to.

As the World Cup progresses, Spain seems to be getting stronger, also in dealing with setbacks. The victory over Belgium not only deserves collective praise, but also a warning: in tournaments like these you always have to stay sharp. The match remained tense for an unnecessarily long time, until Merino did it again, as he always does. With this victory, Spain can confidently look forward to the semi-finals, where they will once again try to continue their way to the final.

In this exciting phase of the tournament it is clear that Spain is getting better and betterthe team continues to grow. The coming matches will be crucial, but with players like Merino in top form there is plenty of reason for optimism.

What's happening now

With this victory, Spain advances to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, where they will prepare for a new challenge. The focus will be on maintaining momentum and improving team dynamics, especially after the injuries to opponents such as Thibaut Courtois. Mikel Merino is expected to continue to play a key role in the coming matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium?

Spain defeated Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup to qualify for the semi-finals.

Who confirmed that the match against Belgium would be difficult?

National coach Luis de la Fuente had previously indicated that the match against Belgium would be one of the most difficult.

Why was the victory over Belgium important for Spain?

The victory was important because Spain qualified for the semi-finals and the team seems to be getting stronger in dealing with setbacks.

What changes were there in the Belgian team during the match?

Thibaut Courtois was injured, meaning the new Belgian goalkeeper, Lammens, had to play in goal.

What was Mikel Merino's role in the match?

Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain, less than two minutes after entering the field.

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