Spain unleashes a 30-year-old surprise! Scores after 115 seconds on the pitch and delivers consecutive match-winners in the World Cup, setting 6 records

In the second World Cup quarterfinal concluded on July 11 Beijing time, Spain narrowly defeated Belgium 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. This marks the return of the "Red Fury" to the World Cup top four for the first time in 16 years. The hero of the match was once again Arsenal's unexpected star, Mikel Merino.

At the 86th minute, with the score still 1-1, Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente made a key substitution. Merino came on to replace Dani Olmo. The 30-year-old Arsenal midfielder then produced another miraculous moment.

Less than two minutes after coming on, Cubarsí took a long-range shot, and the substitute Belgian goalkeeper, Roméo Lammens, spilled the ball. Merino, with sharp instincts, rushed forward to slot home the rebound, securing the winner for Spain.

This was already the second consecutive match in which Merino made a decisive contribution for Spain. In the previous round against Portugal, he also scored the only goal of the game in stoppage time, racing onto a through ball from Ferran Torres to slot home. And two years ago, in the European Championship, it was also Merino's late winner that eliminated the host nation, Germany.

With his back-to-back match-winning performances, Merino set several remarkable records. First, Merino scored just 115 seconds after coming off the bench, setting a new record for the fastest goal by a Spanish substitute in World Cup history.

Second, Merino is the first Spanish player to score two winning goals in World Cup matches at the 80th minute or later.

Third, Merino has scored in two knockout matches in a single World Cup, a feat only surpassed by David Villa in Spanish national team history.

Fourth, with Merino's goal, Spain's total goals in this World Cup reached 11, equaling the team's record for most goals in a single World Cup, previously set in 1986, also with 11 goals.

Fifth, Merino is the first player in World Cup knockout history to come off the bench in two different matches and score the winning goal in both.

Sixth, Merino has now scored three goals for Spain in major tournaments (European Championship and World Cup), and all three have been match-winners.