Spain's super-sub Mikel Merino strikes in 88th minute to beat Belgium 2-1 and set up World Cup semi-final with France
Mikel Merino scored an 88th-minute winner two minutes after coming off the bench as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in Inglewood, California, booking a World Cup semi-final against France in Dallas on Tuesday.
Merino's late intervention
Spain's run to the World Cup semi-finals followed a familiar script in Inglewood, California, on Friday, as Mikel Merino delivered yet another decisive goal from the bench. The 30-year-old Arsenal midfielder entered the match in the 86th minute, replacing Dani Olmo, and needed only his second touch to fire home after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsi's 25-metre strike. Spain held on for a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium.
The goal extended a remarkable personal sequence. Merino had scored the only goal in stoppage time against Portugal in the last 16, and before that headed Spain's 119th-minute quarter-final winner against hosts Germany at Euro 2024. He downplayed suggestions of luck.
I believe in some coincidences, but I don't think this is one. It's because I really prepare for when the time comes.
How the match unfolded
Spain took the lead in the 31st minute when Fabian Ruiz prodded home after Thibaut Courtois parried Pedro Porro's shot. Fabian started in place of Pedri, one of several bold selection calls by coach Luis de la Fuente. Belgium, missing captain Youri Tielemans (injured in the warm-up) and Amadou Onana, equalised just before half-time through Charles De Ketelaere's header from a Timothy Castagne cross, his third goal of the tournament.
The goal ended Spain's defensive streak at 649 minutes without conceding, the longest such run in World Cup history. Courtois departed in the 71st minute with a hip injury, replaced by Manchester United's Lammens, whose error proved decisive. Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said he was proud of his team's campaign.
- Belgium captain Youri Tielemans ruled out with injury sustained during warm-up.
- Fabian Ruiz opens the scoring for Spain after Courtois parries Porro's shot.
- Charles De Ketelaere heads Belgium level from Castagne cross, ending Spain's 649-minute clean-sheet streak.
- Thibaut Courtois forced off with hip injury; Senne Lammens comes on in goal for Belgium.
- Mikel Merino enters as substitute for Dani Olmo.
- Merino scores winner from close range after Lammens spills Cubarsi's long-range effort.
De la Fuente's collective vision
De la Fuente emphasised that Spain's success rests on squad unity rather than individual star power. Merino's willingness to accept a substitute role embodies that philosophy, the coach said.
Merino has many strengths; he could play for any national team or club, and for us he's the perfect fit for this team and this style of play. We know that whenever we need him, he's always there.
De la Fuente added that keeping players content despite fierce competition reflects their professionalism. "One of our strengths as a team is that we have not only the best players in the world, which they are, but also the best people."
Yamal's warning to France
Spain now face tournament favourites France in Dallas on Tuesday for a place in the final. Lamine Yamal, the young attacker who is yet to register a goal or assist at this World Cup, struck a defiant tone after the Belgium win.
If anyone should be afraid it should be them — we knocked them out of the Euros.
"Let me be clear, we're not finished," de la Fuente said. "We're pleased to be here, but we want more." The match pits Yamal against France's Kylian Mbappe, one of several star names in a Golden Boot race also featuring Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé. Spain enter the semi-final having reached this stage for only the second time; the first, in 2010, ended with the trophy.
