World Cup 2026 | Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Merino strikes late again
Spain edged Belgium to reach World Cup semi-finals
Author | Peter Grainger
Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium
Mikel Merino proved Spain's match winner once more as the substitute struck two minutes from time to break Belgium's resistance and send the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals.
The Arsenal midfielder had already rescued Spain in the last 16 with a 91st-minute winner against Portugal and repeated the feat in Los Angeles, settling a finely balanced quarter-final with another decisive late contribution.
With the contest level at 1-1 and seemingly drifting towards extra time, Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois, could only spill Pau Cubarsi's fierce 25-yard effort. Merino reacted quickest, turning the rebound into the roof of the net from close range after spending just 117 seconds on the pitch following his introduction for Dani Olmo.
Fabián Ruiz had earlier put Spain ahead after 30 minutes, only for Charles De Ketelaere to head Belgium level four minutes before the break, ending Spain's remarkable run of 649 World Cup minutes without conceding a goal.
The victory sets up a heavyweight semi-final against France in Dallas on Tuesday 14 July, with Luis de la Fuente's side now two matches away from adding the World Cup to their European Championship triumph.
A closer analysis of what happened
Spain's opener arrived after a slick move down the right. Pedro Porro combined neatly with Lamine Yamal before delivering a cross that found Olmo. Courtois saved his initial effort but Ruiz, preferred to Pedri in midfield, reacted first to fire the loose ball through Timothy Castagne's legs and into the net.
Belgium responded impressively and were rewarded when De Ketelaere darted in front of Cubarsi to power home Castagne's cross, drawing Rudi Garcia's side level before the interval.
Belgium appealed for a penalty early in the second half after Aymeric Laporte's header struck the arm of Rodri inside the area, while at the other end Courtois produced another important stop to deny Mikel Oyarzabal.
The turning point came in the 71st minute when Courtois broke down with what appeared to be a muscle injury. The Real Madrid goalkeeper left the field in tears and was replaced by Manchester United's Lammens, making only his third senior international appearance.
Lammens was unable to make the decisive save when Cubarsi tested him from distance. The goalkeeper failed to hold the powerful strike and Merino was perfectly placed to punish the mistake, keeping his composure to fire home the winner.
Belgium's campaign ended in cruel fashion, while Spain march on to only the second World Cup semi-final in their history, where France now stand between them and another appearance in the final.
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