Spanish Bench Players Combine for Crucial Goal

Mikel Merino scored a goal set up by Ferran Torres, who received the ball from Fabián Ruíz, all coming from the bench in Spain's victory over Portugal. According to Opta statistics, this marked the first time since 2014 that Spanish substitutes combined for a goal in a World Cup, with Cesc Fabregas previously assisting Juan Mata against Australia. biznow.biz

Prior to that, only one other instance occurred in 1982 when Quini assisted Saura against Yugoslavia. The goal secured Spain's place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Belgium on Friday at 21:00 on La1 and DAZN.