HIGHLIGHTS | FIFA World Cup 2026, Day 26: Merino's late goal sends Spain past Portugal as Belgium hammers United States

Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time winner to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal. Belgium thrashed the United States 4-1 with a Charles De Ketelaere brace, plus goals from Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku.

Summary

Welcome to TNIE's live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

The second day of the Round of 16 delivered two thrilling contests. Erling Haaland scored twice in the closing stages as Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, condemning the Seleção to their earliest exit since 1990.

Later, Jude Bellingham enjoyed the finest night of his international career, scoring twice as England edged hosts Mexico 3-2 to book their place in the last eight, where they will face Norway in a mouth-watering quarter-final.

Now, the spotlight shifts to Day 26, where Portugal face Spain in a blockbuster Round of 16 clash before hosts USA lock horns with Belgium in the day's second encounter with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Here are Day 26's fixtures (all times in IST):

Portugal vs Spain — 12:30 am

USA vs Belgium — 5:30 am

USA face Belgium and World Cup date with destiny after Balogun reprieve

The United States face the biggest day of soccer in their history on Monday as they take on Belgium for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic reprieve for star striker Folarin Balogun thanks to the intervention of Donald Trump.

Balogun, who has scored three goals at the World Cup, had been set to miss the clash in Seattle after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender's foot in the round-of-32 match that the US won 2-0.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban.

Trump called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino asking him to review Balogun's punishment, two sources familiar with the matter told AFP.

World football's governing body said Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The US team welcomed the decision, which coach Mauricio Pochettino called "fair", but it sparked outrage from Belgium and other teams.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "astonished" and stressed it was "investigating all potential options".

MD-1 Mode. pic.twitter.com/1gAtIWD8fd

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 5, 2026

🗣️ "It's about passion", Cristiano Ronaldo. 🇵🇹#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qSvCxBLMEN

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 5, 2026

US seeks ‘revenge’ for thrilling World Cup loss to Belgium 12 years ago

When Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois reflected on the last time his side faced the United States in the World Cup, Tim Howard came to mind.

Courtois was in net opposite one of the greatest American goalies, who made 16 saves in a 2-1, extra time loss to Belgium at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Though Howard has long since hung up his boots, the 34-year-old Courtois will start again on Monday when the U.S. plays Belgium in the round of 16.

Since that thrilling match over a decade ago, American soccer has made significant strides.

“I think they can produce a lot of talent and become a world force,” Courtois said. “They’re already a great team together, they play well. So I think that’s a good evolution, and they’re showing it this World Cup. Hopefully it comes to an end (Monday) and that we can win, but we’re expecting a tough game.”

4/8 ✅#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/c7xI4RSCsU

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2026

Belgium football chiefs say 'astonished' at FIFA Balogun decision

Belgium's football association said Sunday it was "astonished" at FIFA's decision to suspend USA forward Folarin Balogun's red card, allowing him to play against Belgium in the World Cup last-16 game.

"The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA-Belgium match on Monday," it said in a statement.

The RBFA added it was "investigating all potential options".

Balogun had been set to miss the game in Seattle after controversially being shown a straight red card following a VAR review in the last-32 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on the foot of defender Tarik Muharemovic.

But FIFA said Sunday it was suspending the red card, a decision that prompted US President Donald Trump to thank world football's governing body.

Full focus on #USABEL pic.twitter.com/SSIuq4lZKl

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 5, 2026

🎧 Turn the volume up.

Goals. Big saves. Beautiful sounds. 🧤⚽#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/NkpkHavouq

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) July 5, 2026

'Our game, not theirs': Klopp slams FIFA's Balogun decision

Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on Monday slammed FIFA's decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun's suspension, which reportedly took place after an intervention from US President Donald Trump.

Balogun was set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash with Belgium having picked up a red card in his previous match, but FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban for a year, making the forward eligible to play.

Sources told AFP Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asking him to review Balogun's punishment.

Carlos Queiroz quits as Ghana coach after the team’s World Cup exit

Carlos Queiroz has quit as Ghana coach after the team’s World Cup campaign ended with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Colombia at the first knockout stage.

“We cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we honored the colors of Ghana and restored respect and credibility to the Black Stars on football’s greatest stage,” Queiroz wrote in an Instagram post addressed to the country late on Sunday.

Ghana was on a four-game losing run when the 73-year-old Portuguese coach was appointed in April as the fired Otto Addo ’s replacement.

'Politics has no place on pitch': German official on red card U-turn

Germany sees "no place on the pitch" for politics, the junior minister for sport told on Monday, after US President Donald Trump pushed FIFA to reverse US star Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension.

"Refereeing decisions are a matter for sport. Politics has no place on the pitch," State Minister for Sport Christiane Schenderlein told AFP in a statement. "The German government respects the autonomy of sport."

Mikel Merino scores late as Spain edge Portugal 1-0

Mikel Merino scored an injury-time winner as Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Monday.

Merino broke the deadlock in the first minute of time added on at the AT&T Stadium outside Dallas to send the Spaniards into a last-eight clash against either Belgium or the United States in Los Angeles on Friday.

Martinez ends Portugal tenure with World Cup exit

Roberto Martinez confirmed Monday that he was standing down as coach following Portugal's World Cup last-16 exit to Spain.

The 52-year-old Spaniard saw his side lose 1-0 to a late Mikel Merino goal at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The 52-year-old, who was consistently criticised for sticking with ageing captain Cristiano Ronaldo no matter what, had been in charge since 2023.

Before that he was manager of Belgium, following tenures in British football with Swansea, Wigan and Everton.

Martinez, whose departure was expected with his contract ending, said: "It is true that it was my last game with the Portugal national team.

"Thank you to the Portuguese people because it was an incredible period, a pride which I can't describe.

"All that strength, energy we had from all the fans, from all the Portuguese people was incredible.

"Thank you for this and I take with me a memory for life."

Ronaldo 'won't make rash decisions' following last World Cup game

Cristiano Ronaldo said that he won't rush into a decision about his future following Portugal's exit to Spain in his last World Cup match on Monday.

The 41-year-old Portugal great said on the eve of the last-16 encounter, which his team lost 1-0, that this was his final World Cup.

Asked afterwards about what comes next, he said: "It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll have time to think about the rest, to be with my family, not make rash decisions, and just get on with life."

The Portugal captain and one of the best footballers in history, said: "That's football, that's the life of a footballer.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on."

Belgium thrash United States 4-1 to storm into World Cup quarter-finals

Belgium emphatically ended the United States's World Cup run with a 4-1 win against the co-hosts on Monday.

The game had been overshadowed by FIFA's reprieve for US forward Folarin Balogun after a red card in his previous match, but he was unable to make an impact as the Belgians ran out easy winners in Seattle.