Spain have booked a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against France after substitute Mikel Merino once again delivered a decisive late goal, while drama elsewhere in the tournament has included a record-breaking goalkeeping run ending, Norway’s Viking-inspired celebrations, threats against a Colombian player and renewed uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future.
Spain advanced with a tense 2–1 quarter-final victory over Belgium, secured by Merino only minutes after he entered the match.
The Arsenal midfielder was introduced in the 86th minute and required just two touches to change the outcome. Pau Cubarsí fired a long-range effort that Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens managed to stop but could not hold, leaving Merino free to race into the penalty area and score from the rebound.
It was the second knockout match in succession in which Merino had come from the bench to rescue Spain. He also scored in stoppage time during the round of 16, earning his team a narrow 1–0 win over Portugal.
The midfielder’s latest contribution sent Spain into their first World Cup semi-final since winning the tournament in 2010.
Merino said the moment demonstrated why substitutes must remain mentally and physically prepared throughout a match, even when they are unsure whether they will be called upon.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente now faces the challenge of preparing his team for a meeting with France, one of the tournament’s most impressive and dangerous sides. He described the semi-final as a clash between two major international football powers.
Despite Spain’s progression, the match also brought an end to goalkeeper Unai Simón’s extraordinary World Cup clean-sheet record.
Simón had completed 650 consecutive minutes of World Cup football without conceding, setting a new tournament record, before Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne in the 41st minute.
The goal made Belgium the first team to score against Spain during the 2026 tournament and ended a sequence of six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.
Simón’s unbeaten run had stretched back to Spain’s goalless round-of-16 encounter with Morocco at the 2022 World Cup. Although Spain lost that match in a penalty shootout, goals scored during shootouts are not counted in official clean-sheet statistics.
Spain opened their 2026 campaign with a scoreless draw against Cabo Verde before recording four consecutive victories without conceding.
Simón’s 650-minute streak surpassed the previous World Cup record of 517 minutes, established by Italy’s Walter Zenga during the 1990 tournament.
While Belgium succeeded in ending the record, Spain recovered and ultimately secured their semi-final place through Merino’s late intervention.
Norway’s unexpected journey to the World Cup quarter-finals has also generated excitement through a distinctive celebration known as the “Viking Row”.
During the celebration, players and supporters sit in lines and imitate the action of rowing a Viking longship while chanting and beating drums.
Erling Haaland and his Norwegian teammates have performed the routine after victories, while supporters have recreated it in Oslo, outside tournament venues and even in New York’s Times Square.
The celebration has become a symbol of Norway’s impressive campaign ahead of their quarter-final meeting with England, one of the most significant matches in the country’s football history.
Historians have noted that the rapid rowing movements used by supporters would not have been practical for real Viking sailors travelling long distances at sea.
Actual longship crews would have needed a slower and more sustainable rhythm. However, as a football ritual, the energetic version has helped unite Norway’s players and fans throughout the tournament.
Away from the celebrations, the Colombian Football Federation has condemned death threats directed at midfielder Jaminton Campaz and members of his family following the country’s elimination.
Colombia were knocked out by Switzerland in a penalty shootout during the round of 16.
Campaz missed a major scoring opportunity in extra time when his attempt went wide, after which he became the target of online abuse, intimidation and threats.
The Colombian federation said no footballer or family member should be threatened for taking part in an international sporting competition.
Campaz also addressed supporters directly, acknowledging their disappointment but urging them not to allow frustration over a football result to develop into hatred or fear.
The incident has revived painful memories of Colombian defender Andrés Escobar, who was murdered in Medellín after returning home from the 1994 World Cup.
Escobar had scored an own goal during Colombia’s defeat to the United States, although the circumstances surrounding his murder were also linked to organised crime and gambling interests.
Football authorities have stressed that while supporters are entitled to criticise performances, abuse must never escalate into threats or violence.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus has suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo may still have a future with the national team despite being 41 years old.
Jesus previously worked with Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and said a player’s age should not be the sole factor used to determine whether he remains capable of competing internationally.
The coach pointed to Ronaldo’s fitness levels, distance covered during matches and running speed as evidence that the veteran forward could still contribute at the highest level.
Ronaldo scored three goals during the 2026 World Cup but faced criticism following Portugal’s elimination.
Although he has announced that he will not play in another World Cup, he has not completely ruled out continuing to represent Portugal in other international competitions.
Jesus said he had not yet discussed the matter directly with Ronaldo and would speak individually with players before making decisions about the future of the squad.
He described Ronaldo as one of the most important figures in Portuguese football history and said their previous professional relationship had been positive.
The comments have left open the possibility that Ronaldo could continue his international career, even though his time on the World Cup stage has reached its conclusion.
From Merino’s dramatic winner and Simón’s historic record to Norway’s celebrations, the threats against Campaz and questions surrounding Ronaldo, the tournament continues to produce major stories both on and away from the field.
