Super-sub Mikel Merino snatched another late winner as Spain claimed a 2-1 win against Belgium, at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, USA, setting up a 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final clash with France.
Spain were aggressive early on against Belgium and Fabian Ruiz gave them the lead on the half-hour mark. The midfielder pounced after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made an excellent diving save, but failed to stop a rebound from Ruiz.
Ruiz’s goal vindicated De la Fuente’s surprise decision to start the Paris St Germain midfielder in place of Pedri.
However, Belgium responded 11 minutes later through Charles De Ketelaere, who timed his run perfectly and headed Castagne’s cross past keeper Unai Simon, the first goal Spain have conceded in the tournament.
The equaliser breathed new life into Belgium and the teams battled to halftime in the oppressive heat.
Spain came out energised after the break, controlling possession and chipping away at the Belgium defence, especially through electric 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who was a threat throughout the match.
It felt inevitable that Spain, who had 17 shots to Belgium’s five, would eventually score again and they did through Merino, who netted two minutes after being introduced in the 86th.
The attacking midfielder is the first player in World Cup history to score the winner in two different knockout stage matches as a substitute.
A Belgium side led by veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku searched for another equaliser and, despite some promising chances, they could not find a way through as the match finished 2-1 to Spain.
“There are no such things as coincidences,” said Merino, who also scored a late winner as a substitute in Spain’s 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Portugal. “If you go into a match well-prepared, things tend to happen again.”
The last time Spain reached the semi-finals of the World Cup was in 2010, when they won the tournament.
European champions Spain will face tournament favourites France in Dallas for a spot in the final.
