local
Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals
By Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 10, 2026
· 3 min read
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 tournament favorite France in the s...
Key takeaway Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch of the match, charging into the box and pouncing after Lammens spilled a rebound of Pau Cubarsí's long shot.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The World Cup semifinal match between Spain and France, set to take place in the Dallas area, will likely draw the attention of local soccer fans in Tomball . As Spain advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2010, residents in the Houston area may be interested in catching a glimpse of the action, even if it's not taking place locally. The fact that the match is happening in the larger Houston metropolitan region could lead to an increase in watch parties and gatherings at local establishments, giving a boost to the community's social scene. With Spain's undefeated streak and Mikel Merino's clutch performances, fans in Tomball may find themselves drawn into the excitement surrounding the tournament, potentially sparking new interest in the sport among locals. As the semifinals approach, it will be worth watching how the community responds to the proximity of the high-profile match.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 tournament favorite France in the s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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