Spain 2-1 Belgium: Player Ratings as Merino’s Late Winner Sends La Roja into the Semi-Finals

Spain needed a late show to keep their World Cup dream alive. Fabián Ruiz put La Roja ahead, Charles De Ketelaere levelled for Belgium before half-time, and it took an 88th-minute strike from substitute Mikel Merino — his second decisive knockout goal in a row — to settle a 2-1 quarter-final at SoFi Stadium. Here are our Spain player ratings vs Belgium. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.

Key match stats

Spain player ratings vs Belgium

• GK — Unai Simón: 6.5/10 — Beaten once and otherwise a spectator, with just one save to make.
• RB — Pedro Porro: 6.5/10 — Steady down the right and keen to join the attack.
• CB — Pau Cubarsí: 7/10 — Composed on the ball despite an early booking.
• CB — Aymeric Laporte: 7/10 — Marshalled the back line against a lively Belgium front line.
• LB — Marc Cucurella: 6.5/10 — Busy up and down the left flank.
• CM — Rodri: 7.5/10 — Metronomic in midfield and rarely gave the ball away.
• CM — Fabián Ruiz: 7.5/10 — Broke the deadlock on 30 minutes before being withdrawn.
• AM — Dani Olmo: 7/10 — Lively between the lines with a couple of efforts.
• RW — Lamine Yamal: 8/10 — Spain’s biggest threat all night with a game-high six shots.
• ST — Mikel Oyarzabal: 6.5/10 — Led the line willingly before making way.
• LW — Alejandro Baena: 6.5/10 — Bright in spells before being replaced.

Substitutes

• Mikel Merino: 8/10 — Straight off the bench to win it with an 88th-minute strike — his second decisive knockout goal after his winner against Portugal.
• Pedri: 7/10 — Calmed things down and controlled the closing stages.
• Ferran Torres: 6.5/10 — Fresh legs through the middle.
• Nico Williams: 6.5/10 — Late cameo out wide.

Spain vs Belgium: how it unfolded

Fabián Ruiz curled Spain in front on 30 minutes, only for Charles De Ketelaere to level for Belgium on 41. Kevin De Bruyne tried to pull the strings for the Red Devils, but Unai Simón was barely tested as Belgium managed just five shots. With the tie drifting towards extra time, substitute Mikel Merino popped up to win it on 88. Through Luis de la Fuente, Spain march into the semi-finals, where they meet France; Belgium are out.

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