local
Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals
By GREG BEACHAM, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 10, 2026
· 1 min read
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — 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 was the late hero for the second straight match for Spain, which will face tournamen...
Key takeaway (AP) — 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.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The excitement of the World Cup has reached the Rio Grande Valley, with many local soccer fans gathering to watch the matches. Spain's victory over Belgium is likely to generate buzz among Valley residents who follow international soccer. The McAllen -Edinburg-Mission metro area is home to a diverse population with strong ties to Latin America and Europe, where soccer is a beloved sport. As Spain moves on to face France in the semifinals, local fans will be watching closely to see how their team performs against a tough opponent. The Valley's own soccer enthusiasts may be inspired by Mikel Merino's late-game heroics, and his performance could spark conversations about the sport at local parks and fields where youth soccer leagues are active. With the World Cup semifinals approaching, expect to see more fans gathering at local restaurants and bars to cheer on their favorite teams.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — 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 was the late hero for the second straight match for Spain, which will face tournamen...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by GREG BEACHAM, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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