Merino Fires Spain to World Cup Semi-Final; Berg Dynasty Targets England

Last Updated on July 11, 2026

Mikel Merino fires Spain into a World Cup semi-final against France with a second consecutive late winner, Norway’s footballing Berg dynasty prepares to face England in the quarter-finals, and Liverpool’s sporting director Michael Edwards calls time on his second spell at the club.

Merino Strikes Again as Spain Beat Belgium 2-1 to Reach World Cup Semi-Final

Spain are into the World Cup semi-finals after edging Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles on Thursday, with Mikel Merino once again delivering the decisive blow in the final minutes. The Arsenal midfielder punished a catastrophic error from substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens two minutes from time, tapping home after Lammens fumbled a Pau Cubarsí shot that should have been routine. It was Merino’s second match-winning goal of the tournament, following his late strike that eliminated Portugal in the last 16, and the European press promptly dubbed him ‘Der heilige Merino’ — Saint Merino.

Fabián Ruiz had given Spain the lead with a rebound finish, deputising for the rested Pedri in Luis de la Fuente’s starting XI. Belgium then became the first team to score against Spain at this World Cup — ending Unai Simón’s clean sheet at 649 minutes — when Charles De Ketelaere met a Timothy Castagne cross with a precise header to level at 1-1. The match looked destined for extra time until Belgium’s night unravelled completely.

Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury 15 minutes before full time, replaced by his 24-year-old Manchester United understudy Senne Lammens. Coach Rudi García had restored Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku to the lineup after controversially benching both against the United States, but their creativity could not prevent Spain advancing. Belgium had also lost Youri Tielemans to a warm-up injury, with Hans Vanaken filling in. Spain now face France in the semi-final on Tuesday at 21:00.

Norway’s Berg Dynasty: The Polar Maldinis Ready to Shine Against England

When Norway line up against England in their World Cup quarter-final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Friday night, the midfielder feeding balls to Erling Braut Haaland will carry four generations of football history on his shoulders. Patrick Berg, 28, starts his 49th international as the player tasked with supplying Haaland — and he has already delivered in this tournament, assisting the striker in both of Norway’s group stage victories: coming off the bench against Senegal before starting against Ivory Coast.

The Berg family from Bodø — a northern Norwegian city of 53,000 people, located 121 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle — have been producing footballers for decades. Patriarch Harald Berg, now 84, is regarded as one of the finest midfielders Norway has ever produced. He made his international debut in 1964 and scored 12 goals in 43 caps, earning the nickname ‘Ditte’. In 1969, Harald became one of Norway’s first footballing exports, joining ADO Den Haag where he scored a hat-trick on debut against FC Twente and netted 17 goals in his debut season — a club record for a foreign player that stood until 2011. Patrick’s father Ørjan earned 19 Norway caps, and Harald’s other son Runar added five. Six members of the Berg family in total have represented Bodø/Glimt, and in only 15 of the past 67 seasons has the club fielded no member of the family.

The football world has nicknamed them ‘The Maldinis of the polar region’, an allusion both to the three-generation Italian dynasty of Cesare, Paolo and Daniel Maldini and to Bodø’s position deep within the Arctic. Where Harald was famed for technical brilliance and goals, Patrick operates quietly as a facilitator — the only starting player in Norway’s squad still playing his club football in the Eliteserien. Against England in Miami, a goal or a defining assist for Haaland could write Patrick’s own chapter in a remarkable family story.

Spain’s World Cup Defensive Record Ends at 649 Minutes

Charles De Ketelaere’s header on Thursday brought to an end the most extraordinary defensive run in World Cup history. Unai Simón had gone 649 minutes without conceding — a stretch dating back to Spain’s penalty shootout exit to Morocco at Qatar 2022 — surpassing the previous records held by Italy’s Walter Zenga (571 minutes), England’s Peter Shilton (501 minutes) and Spain’s own Iker Casillas (476 minutes). The defensive structure that made it possible featured Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsí, 19, alongside veteran Aymeric Laporte, 32, with Rodri tucking in as an extra shield between the lines. Data firm Opta confirms no team in World Cup history had surrendered fewer chances per game than Luis de la Fuente’s 2026 side. Across the entire tournament, Simón made just six saves in total.

Michael Edwards Steps Down as Liverpool Sporting Director

Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards, 47, is leaving the club for the second time, with one year still remaining on his contract. Edwards first joined Merseyside in 2011 and rose through the ranks before initially stepping down in 2022. He returned to the role in 2024 but reportedly informed Fenway Sports Group leadership of his decision to leave in autumn 2025. Multiple British outlets, including The Guardian, report that Edwards grew frustrated with FSG after the board shelved plans for a multi-club ownership model — an initiative he had understood to be a commitment made as part of his return. FSG president Michael Gordon is expected to take direct oversight of football operations in his absence. In a statement reported by Sky Sports, Edwards said: ‘I leave the club believing that Liverpool are in a strong position, with outstanding people, a clear direction and a solid foundation for continued success.’ Liverpool’s sporting overhaul extends to the dugout too, with Andoni Iraola reported to be close to taking charge as the club’s new head coach.

Crystal Palace Land Mingueza on Free Transfer as Pierre Sage Era Begins

Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Spanish right-back Óscar Mingueza, 27, on a free transfer after his contract at Celta Vigo expired at the end of last season. Announced on the club’s official website, the move represents new manager Pierre Sage‘s first addition to the Selhurst Park squad. Mingueza, who holds four caps for Spain and previously played for Barcelona, attracted Premier League interest from Arsenal, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Sunderland before opting for Palace. His availability at no transfer fee made him one of the most pursued free agents of the summer window.

In Brief

Hoffenheim have signed Belgian youth international Nathan De Cat, 17, from the Bundesliga transfer market. TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker describes the teenager as ‘one of the greatest talents in Europe’.

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