Victor Munoz's World Cup dream continues as Man Utd star makes huge error
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Spain knocked Belgium out of the World Cup 2026 with a 2-1 victory, Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute after goalkeeper Senne Lammens could not hold a long-range strikeVictor Munoz recently signed for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Just when it needed it the most, Belgium's fortune abandoned it entirely as the country endured a heartbreaking World Cup elimination at the hands of Spain.Mikel Merino delivered the decisive strike in the 88th minute after Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois in the second half, failed to secure a long-range effort. The result means new Liverpool winger Victor Munoz still has a chance of reaching the World Cup semifinals.Yet considerable drama unfolded before Merino's close-range finish, much of it working against Belgium.
Regarded by many as the underdog despite the European champion having yet to find its rhythm at these World Cup finals, Belgium was dealt a blow before kick-off as its influential skipper, Youri Tielemans, was withdrawn from the squad at the last minute.And while Belgium showed greater ambition than anticipated even in its captain's absence, the reality was that Spain dominated proceedings, with Fabian Ruiz perfectly positioned to convert from close range and open the scoring in the 30th minute.Dani Olmo connected with a low delivery from Pedro Porro, only to be denied by Courtois's hands; nevertheless, the experienced goalkeeper could merely push the ball toward the waiting Ruiz, who made no mistake.Ruiz's goal appeared set to prompt Spain into raising its intensity, and the unstoppable Lamine Yamal nearly extended the team's advantage, firing into the side netting following some of his trademark mesmerizing footwork. Yet just as Spain seemed poised to assert its dominance further, it conceded for the first time at this World Cup.Senne Lammens was at fault for Spain's winner(Image: Getty Images)It was Charles De Ketelaere who rose above his marker to nod the ball beyond Unai Simon, the goalkeeper who had maintained a 649-minute clean sheet across Spain's previous five fixtures, lifting Belgium before half-time.Level once more, Rudi Garcia's players maintained their offensive momentum at the start of the second period.
Yet he was unable to hold the effort that paved the way for Merino, who was regularly lethal in the penalty area, to capitalize in the dying moments.It proved a harsh blow for a young player who had conducted himself admirably in a high-pressure role within an intense atmosphere at one of the world's biggest clubs. Merino offered him no reprieve.It marks two late match-winners in consecutive fixtures from Merino, who is proving to be a useful attacking weapon just as he is for Arsenal.And he may well be set to assume a considerably more prominent role in Spain's quest to follow up on its Euro 2024 triumph with another World Cup.