MIKEL MERINO'S GOAL LIFTS SPAIN PAST BELGIUM IN WORLD CUP QUARTERS

Super-sub Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Spain won 2-1 over Belgium to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on July 11.

"Mikel Merino #6 of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium. — AFP/VNA Photos"

LOS ANGELES — Super-sub Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Spain won 2-1 over Belgium to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on July 11.

It was a Fabian Ruiz goal that gave the European champions the lead on the half-hour mark at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Ruiz benefits from some poor Thibaut Courtois handling and slammed home on the rebound from close range.  

However, shortly Charles De Ketelaere nodded home a cross to bring Belgium level in timely fashion. 

He was the first scorer of the tournament who could find the back of the net of Luis de la Fuente's side. Spain's six-game clean sheet streak was ended in the 41st minute.

Both two sides had opportunities to raise the score in the second half. 

"Lamine Yamal finds himself one-on-one with Courtois in the 48th mark. The keeper came out on top, but the flag was up on the teenager regardless.

Jérémy Doku and De Bruyne made up a lovely one-two with each other before setting Maxim De Cupyer in a perfect place to score. However, the winger lashed into the side netting in the 55th minute.

Six minutes later Yamal's another effort was beaten away by the busy Courtois who previously saved his net from Oyarzabal's attempt."

"Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois receives medical treatment."

"A turning point came in the 72nd minute when Courtois went off in tears because of injury. He was replaced by  Lammens who spilled the ball to Merino in the final minutes, allowing the Spaniard to smash home a rebound for a 2-1 win.

It was the second game in a row that Merino came from the bench and scored a late goal. Earlier, the Arsenal midfielder also netted a late winner as a substitute against Portugal four days ago."

"Jeremy Doku of Belgium (centre) competes for the ball against Spanish players during  their quarter-final match."

"He was the first player in the history of the World Cup to score winning goals in separate knockout ties as a substitute but that didn't really cover it. Merino was only given nine minutes plus stoppage time across the two games. It was all he needed.

Spain will next play tournament favourite France in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Dallas.

Other quarter-finals will be held tonight between Norway and England at the Miami Stadium and Argentina and Switzerland at the Kansas City Stadium. — VNS"

BELGIUM THRASH HOST USA 4-1 TO REACH FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUARTER-FINALS

 

SEATTLE – Belgium secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after crushing the United States 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash, eliminating the host nation from the tournament.

Belgium took an early lead in the ninth minute through Charles De Ketelaere. The United States responded in the 31st minute when Tillman found the net to level the score at 1-1. However, Belgium restored their advantage just two minutes later as De Ketelaere scored his second goal of the match, giving his side a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Belgium extended their lead 12 minutes into the second half when Vina Ken capitalized on an error by the American goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

Despite trailing by two goals, the United States continued to push forward in search of a comeback, but they were unable to break through Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced a series of important saves.

Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming a convincing 4-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals.

The match followed controversy surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun. Reports said Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 and was handed a one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.

Ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 7, his suspension was lifted following a recommendation from US President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked controversy.

Despite Balogun’s availability, the United States was unable to avoid elimination.

- Muhammad Mahmood

ATALANTA CIVIL WAR: ADEMOLA LOOKMAN SLAMS 'DEEPLY DISRESPECTFUL' MANAGER IN LENGTHY STATEMENT AFTER HE CALLED HIM 'ONE OF THE WORST PENALTY TAKERS' EVER SEEN

Ademola Lookman has  labelled his manager Gian Piero Gasperini's comments 'deeply disrespectful' and 'hurtful'

• Atalanta suffered shock Champions league play-off round defeat by Club Brugge

• Lookman scored against the Belgian side before missing a spot kick in the loss

• LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Does Ruben Amorim come under pressure at Manchester United this season? 

Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman has slammed his own manager for describing him as 'one of the worst penalty takers' he had ever seen after the side's shock Champions League exit. 

The reigning African Footballer of the Year, who was the match winner for the Bergamo club in last season's Europa League final, labelled Gian Piero Gasperini's comments as 'deeply disrespectful' and 'hurtful'.

Belgian side Club Brugge stunned Atalanta 3-1 in the second leg of their play-off tie to dump the Italian side out with a 5-2 aggregate win and reach the last 16.

Lookman pulled back one goal for Atalanta when they were 3-0 down. But the Nigerian, who has scored 15 times this season, had a penalty saved as they crashed out, after which Gasperini said Lookman was not supposed to take the penalty.

In response to the shock comments, which have plunged the club into civil war, Lookman said Gasperini had been 'deeply disrespectful'. 

'Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo,' Lookman wrote on Instagram.

'In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here - the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. 

'This makes what happened last night even more hurtful. Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night's result.

'During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so. 

'Life's about challenges and turning pain into power which I'll continue to do.'

Gasperini said Lookman has a 'terrible record even in training', adding that Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were better options to take the spot kick.

'Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,' said the veteran manager.

'He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal, he took the ball despite (Mateo) Retegui and (Charles) De Keteleare available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.

'Lookman wasn't supposed to take the penalty. Even in training he doesn’t have a good rate of scoring from the spot.' 

Retegui is Atalanta's regular penalty taker, having converted two of his three spot-kicks in Serie A this campaign, but Lookman has also taken and scored one. 

Lookman was Atalanta's hero last season when they won the Europa League, netting a hat-trick in the final when they beat Bayer Leverkusen who had been undefeated all season.

Atalanta's next match is a trip to Empoli in Serie A on Sunday. It remains to be seen whether Lookman, a former Leicester and Fulham star, will be included in the squad following the public fallout with his manager.

- ROHITH NAIR, REUTERS and TUM BALOGUN