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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. Watch | Highlights from BBC Sport Fabián ...

Co-hosts Canada beat South Africa to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time. Stephen Eustaquio struck a dramatic winner in the second minute of stoppage time. Author | Josh T Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium In a scrappy contest lacking clear-cut chances, and with extra time appearing inevitable, Eustaquio produced a rare moment of quality, drilling a superb low effort in from the edge of the penalty area to seal victory for Canada. Canada had lost all six of their previous World Cup matches before this tournament, but this latest triumph continued an outstanding campaign. They claimed their first ever World Cup finals victory with a 6-0 win over Qatar on 18 June, and this was another landmark occasion for Jesse Marsch's side as they became the first team to book their place in the last 16. The co-hosts will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday, 4 July. Reaction after a pivotal moment in the history of Canadian soccer/football Watch | Highlights...

Switzerland edge towards a place in the World Cup last 32 Substitute Johan Manzambi scored twice as they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 in a chaotic final 20 minutes. Author | Ed Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium Manzambi met a knockdown in the penalty area with a first-time volley past Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj in the 74th minute, just two minutes and 46 seconds after he came off the bench. It was only the 20-year-old's fourth touch. With Bosnia down to 10 men following Tarik Muharemovic's straight red card for bringing down Breel Embolo when clean through on goal, Ruben Vargas doubled Switzerland's advantage with a precise curling finish into the bottom corner. Watch | Highlights from BBC Sport  Vargas turned provider in the 90th minute when he set up Manzambi to score his second of the night from close range, before Granit Xhaka converted an injury-time penalty after Djibril Sow was tripped by Amar Memic. Ermin Mahmic scored a late consolation for Bosnia with a spectacula...

New Zealand still searching for their first win at a World Cup Iran twice came from behind in Los Angeles to deny them that elusive victory. Author  | Josh T Stadium  | Los Angeles Stadium Motherwell forward Elijah Just gave New Zealand a dream start, thumping home a half-volley after Chris Wood held the ball up and played it into his path. New Zealand continued to show promise but, as has often been the case at this World Cup, the first hydration break midway through the opening half proved costly. The momentum shifted and Iran found a route back into the contest when Ramin Rezaeian flicked the ball beyond Max Crocombe. Before drawing level, Iran's star forward Mehdi Taremi had gone close when he struck the post with a powerful effort from outside the area. After making it 1-1, Iran also had a goal ruled out for offside. New Zealand took time to regain their rhythm after the break However, Just struck again to restore their lead. The forward combined cleverly with Wood b...

United States start World Cup with a fantastic performance They opened their World Cup campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory against Paraguay Author | Sophie T Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium It was the United States' joint-largest victory at a World Cup, matching the 3-0 wins over Paraguay and Belgium in 1930, when they went on to finish third. A closer look at what happened The hosts needed only seven minutes to take the lead in their Group D opener, much to the delight of a vocal home crowd, thanks to an own goal from Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla. Christian Pulisic was at the heart of the move, bursting between two defenders before finding Weston McKennie, whose cut-back was inadvertently turned into his own net by Bobadilla. Mauricio Pochettino's side believed they had doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Folarin Balogun found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The Monaco forward was not to be denied for long, however, drilling home from...