local
Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals
By Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 Magnolia News
The World Cup semifinal match between Spain and France, set to take place in the Dallas area on Tuesday, will undoubtedly draw the attention of local soccer fans in Montgomery County. As Spain continues its unbeaten streak, now at 37 matches, the community in Magnolia may find itself caught up in the excitement of the tournament. With the match being held relatively close to home, some residents may even consider making the trip to Dallas to experience the electric atmosphere of a World Cup semifinal. The fact that Spain's Mikel Merino has emerged as a late-game hero, scoring crucial goals in consecutive matches, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming semifinal contest. As the tournament reaches its climax, local interest in the World Cup is likely to grow, with many in Magnolia tuning in to see if Spain can continue its impressive run.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News 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 KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
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 KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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