Merino Strikes Again, Spain Into Semis — Norway vs England and Messi vs Switzerland Today

Spain 2–1 Belgium: Merino Does It Again

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's introduction proved inspired as he popped up to score the winner just one minute and 57 seconds after coming off the bench, turning home the rebound of a Cubarsi shot which Lammens spilled into his path at close range.

It is the second consecutive match in which Merino has scored a late winner for Spain — after his 91st-minute goal against Portugal in the Round of 16. He has now scored two goals at this World Cup, both in the 88th minute or later, both match-winners. Super sub does not begin to describe it.

How the Goals Fell

Fabián Ruiz — Spain 1-0 · Spain took the lead through Fabián Ruiz, maintaining their tournament-long dominance. Clean, clinical, inevitable.

De Ketelaere 41' — 1-1 · Belgium scored as Charles De Ketelaere equalized for the Red Devils, ending Spain's remarkable record of not conceding a single goal at this entire World Cup. De Ketelaere scored the first goal allowed by Spain in the entire World Cup 2026 in the 41st minute. Spain had been untouched for the entire tournament. Belgium finally pierced the armor.

Merino 88' — Spain 2-1 · Senne Lammens drops a clanger in the Belgium goal and Mikel Merino taps in from close range to give Spain a 2-1 lead.

Belgium's Cruel Fate

Belgium lost key players: The Red Devils started the quarterfinal without captain Youri Tielemans, who suffered an injury during warmup, and lost goalkeeper Thibault Courtois to injury in the second half.

Belgium had Courtois injured, Tielemans absent from kick-off, and still pushed Spain to the last minutes. They were brilliant in adversity. Belgium now says goodbye to this tournament and, as a result, to its "Golden Generation."

Shop the Spain 2026 World Cup Jersey → Shop the Belgium 2026 World Cup Jersey →

Semifinal Confirmed: France vs Spain · July 14 · Dallas

A second World Cup crown comes into view for Spain, 16 years after their first, as they set up an all-European clash against back-to-back finalists France.

France vs Spain. Mbappé vs Yamal. The two best teams in the tournament. The match everyone wanted to see. Tuesday. Dallas. 3pm ET.

Today's Two Quarterfinals

🇳🇴 Norway vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England · 5pm ET · Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

The match of the day. The Golden Boot race's central showdown. Haaland's seven goals against Kane's five and Bellingham's three and two assists.

Norway beat Brazil 2-1 — Haaland heading home in the 80th minute, driving in a second in the 90th. England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca with 10 men — Bellingham's brace, Kane's penalty. Two of the tournament's most extraordinary performances. One match to separate them.

The winner faces Argentina or Switzerland in the Atlanta semifinal on July 15.

Quansah will miss England's quarterfinal game on Saturday against Norway after his two-match suspension — he would also miss the semifinal should England advance.

Norway are the tournament's greatest story. England are its most resilient team. The white Norwegian jersey against England's white away. An all-white battle decided by individual genius.

Shop the Norway 2026 World Cup Jersey → Shop the England 2026 World Cup Jersey →

🇦🇷 Argentina vs 🇨🇭 Switzerland · 9pm ET · Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Argentina have been living on the edge. 0-2 down against Egypt, winning 3-2 with three goals in 11 minutes. Messi missing penalties. Messi scoring his 21st World Cup goal. The defending champions who refuse to go quietly.

Switzerland are here for the first time in a quarterfinal since 1954. They beat Algeria 2-0, eliminated Colombia on penalties, and have been the tournament's most organized and least celebrated team. They have a plan. They always have a plan.

Messi has 8 goals and 20 all-time World Cup goals — level with Mbappé. If he scores today and Mbappé doesn't tomorrow, Messi retakes the all-time lead. If he scores two, he breaks the record again.

The blue and white stripes of the defending champions against Switzerland's red cross. The jersey of the tournament against one of its greatest surprises.

Shop the Argentina 2026 World Cup Jersey → Shop the Switzerland 2026 World Cup Jersey →

Updated Semifinal Picture

Golden Boot Race

Haaland scores once today — 8 for the tournament, level with Messi and Mbappé. Two goals — nine, a new tournament record. The race is alive until the final whistle tonight.

Why Today's Jerseys Matter

Eight jerseys entered the quarterfinals. Four are already going home — Morocco, Belgium, Canada, Paraguay. Today, two more go home. Six jerseys remain after tonight.

The Norway jersey is the tournament's greatest story. If they win tonight, they face Argentina or Switzerland in the final four — a team back in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, three matches from the trophy.

The Argentina jersey is Messi's story. Eight goals. The all-time record. A team that keeps finding ways to survive. If they win tonight in Kansas City, the blue and white stripes head to Atlanta for a semifinal.

Buy before the results. Four jerseys head home tonight. Two become semifinal stories.

Browse the full 2026 World Cup collection at JerseyFun →

Published: July 11, 2026. Norway vs England 5pm ET · Miami. Argentina vs Switzerland 9pm ET · Kansas City. Semifinals July 14–15. Final July 19 · MetLife Stadium, NJ.