Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in World Cup quarterfinals

INGLEWOOD (US): (Jul 11)  Mikel Merino is Spain’s World Cup hero once again, and even he finds it hard to believe.

A mere four days after Merino scored a clutch goal as a substitute in injury time to beat Portugal, he found himself in the right spot again in the quarterfinals when Belgium’s backup goalkeeper spilled the ball into his path.

Merino booted it home in the 88th minute, sending Spain to a 2-1 victory Friday and into a titanic semifinal showdown with tournament favourite France.