Spain edges Belgium 2-1 on Merino winner, advances to World Cup semi-final against France
Mikel Merino came off the bench to score the decisive goal for the second straight knockout match, sending Spain into a semi-final clash with France after a 2-1 win over Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Belgium at SoFi Stadium, but only after a tense quarter-final that saw the European champions pushed harder than expected. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring, Charles De Ketelaere equalised, and Mikel Merino struck the winner in the 88th minute shortly after replacing an injured teammate. The result extends Spain's unbeaten run to 36 matches, dating back to a 1-0 friendly defeat against Colombia on 22 March 2024.
Early Spanish control gives way to Belgian fightback
Spain started aggressively and took the lead in the 30th minute. Lamine Yamal fed Dani Olmo, whose shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois, but Ruiz was quickest to the rebound and fired home. Courtois then produced a fine save from a Yamal free kick to keep Belgium within one. The Belgians drew level in the 41st minute when Timothy Castagne crossed from the right and Charles De Ketelaere headed past Unai Simon, the first goal Spain had conceded at the tournament.
They were the better team.
Courtois injury shifts the match
Belgium's resistance suffered a major blow in the 71st minute when Courtois, already nursing a quadriceps issue, was forced off. The goalkeeper later revealed he wanted to continue. "I said I can no longer kick the ball long distance, but I could have stayed in goal. The coach said: if you are not 100 percent fit, I will sub you off," Courtois told Het Laatste Nieuws. 23-year-old Senne Lammens, earning only his third cap, replaced him. Courtois comforted his understudy afterwards, saying: "It is a pity Senne could not hold that ball. He is an excellent goalkeeper. Moments like this make you stronger." Youri Tielemans had already missed the match after suffering an injury during the warm-up.
I wanted to keep playing, but the coach had already decided. The team is always the most important.
Merino repeats his rescue act
The winner came in the 88th minute. Pau Cubarsi struck from distance and Lammens spilled the rebound. Merino, who had entered the match moments earlier, pounced from close range to make it 2-1. The Arsenal midfielder had done almost exactly the same thing in the round of 16 against Portugal, scoring the only goal six minutes after coming off the bench. Against Belgium he needed just two minutes. According to OptaJoe, Merino is the first player in World Cup history to score the decisive goal in two different knockout matches as a substitute. Aymeric Laporte cleared an Alexis Saelemaekers effort off the line in the dying moments to preserve the lead.
Mikel Merino is the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score the decisive goal in two different knockout matches as a substitute.
- Fabian Ruiz opens the scoring for Spain after Courtois parries Olmo's shot.
- Charles De Ketelaere equalises with a header from Castagne's cross.
- Thibaut Courtois forced off with injury; Senne Lammens replaces him.
- Mikel Merino fires in the winner after Lammens spills Cubarsi's long-range effort.
Yamal earns MVP amid fan debate
Lamine Yamal played the full 90 minutes and was named player of the match despite not registering a goal or assist. Spanish daily Sport gave him an 8 out of 10, noting that "every time he received the ball he dribbled past defenders and forced Belgium to send extra players to his side." Mundo Deportivo added he "started to find rhythm in the first half, making dangerous moves and testing Courtois several times." The award sparked online debate, with many fans arguing Merino deserved the honour. "How? He didn't score or assist," one user wrote, while another called it "the FIFA PR machine at full throttle."
He seemed to be finding his rhythm in the first half, making dangerous moves and testing Courtois several times, but his form dipped after the break. Even so, he took the MVP award.
What comes next
Spain will face France in the semi-final. The 2010 champions had exited in the round of 16 at the last two World Cups. Belgium's King Philippe attended the match at SoFi Stadium and had dined with the squad the previous evening, telling them "I am sure you will win." Belgian defender Castagne admitted regret: "You are never happy after being eliminated. It was a beautiful tournament, but seeing that we could have played better today leaves a feeling of dissatisfaction."
