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
· 5 min read
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 ba...
Key takeaway Merino booted it home in the 88th minute, sending Spain to a 2-1 victory Friday and into a titanic semifinal showdown with tournament favorite France.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The World Cup semifinal match between Spain and France, set to take place in the Dallas area, will undoubtedly draw the attention of Pearland 's soccer fans. As Spain advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2010, local enthusiasts will be eager to watch the team's performance against a strong opponent like France. The fact that the match will be held in the Dallas area makes it a significant event for the broader Houston region, including Pearland. Residents may consider traveling to Dallas to attend the match or gather at local watch parties to cheer on their favorite team. With Spain's unbeaten streak of 37 matches, the team's chances of winning look promising, and Pearland's soccer community will likely be invested in the outcome. As the city's residents prepare to watch the semifinal match, they can expect a lively atmosphere at local gathering spots, with discussions and debates about the teams' strategies and players' performances.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 ba...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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