Spain and Belgium have booked a mouthwatering quarter-final showdown at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after overcoming Portugal and the United States respectively in their Round of 16 encounters.
Spain left it late to edge Portugal 1-0, with substitute Mikel Merino emerging as the hero after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send La Roja into the last eight.
After a fiercely contested 90 minutes produced no breakthrough, Ferran Torres picked out Merino with a perfectly weighted pass in the 91st minute, and the midfielder calmly slotted past Diogo Costa to spark jubilant celebrations.
Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated possession and fashioned the better chances throughout the contest, but Portugal’s resilient defence held firm until the decisive late strike.
The defeat marked the end of Portugal’s World Cup campaign and what captain Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier confirmed would be his final appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
Belgium, meanwhile, produced a commanding display to defeat co-hosts the United States 4-1 and comfortably secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Charles De Ketelaere starred for the Red Devils, scoring twice and providing an assist. He opened the scoring before restoring Belgium’s lead moments after Malik Tillman’s stunning free-kick had brought the Americans level.
Hans Vanaken capitalised on a costly defensive error to make it 3-1 in the second half, while Romelu Lukaku added a stoppage-time goal to complete an emphatic victory.
The defeat brought an end to the United States’ impressive tournament on home soil. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged that his team “was not good enough” on the night, admitting Belgium fully deserved their victory despite pre-match controversy over Folarin Balogun’s overturned suspension.
Spain and Belgium will now clash in one of the standout quarter-final fixtures of the tournament, with both European heavyweights aiming to secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
