local
Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals
By Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 10, 2026
· 3 min read
Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory on Friday.Merino was the late hero for the second straight match for Spain, which will face tournament favorite France in the s...
Key takeaway Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch of the match, charging into the box and pouncing after Lammens spilled a rebound of Pau Cubarsí's long shot.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio soccer fans watching the World Cup quarterfinals at local bars and restaurants likely witnessed a thrilling moment when Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere scored against Spain, ending their shutout run. This match has significant implications for the tournament, and locals may be interested to know that the winner will advance to face France in the semifinals, which will be held in the Dallas area, just a few hours' drive from San Antonio. The presence of Kevin De Bruyne, who returned to play for Belgium, may have been a topic of discussion among local fans, given his reputation as a skilled player. As the tournament progresses, San Antonio's soccer community will likely continue to gather to watch the remaining matches, potentially drawing crowds to local venues and generating excitement for the sport in the city. The semifinals match against France will be a highly anticipated event.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory on Friday.Merino was the late hero for the second straight match for Spain, which will face tournament favorite France in the s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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