Spain secured a place in the World Cup semifinals following a dramatic 2–1 victory over Belgium on Friday, courtesy of a late goal by midfielder Mikel Merino. Entering the match as a substitute in the 86th minute, Merino capitalized on an 88th-minute error by Belgium’s backup goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, who spilled a long shot into the Spaniard’s path. This decisive strike marked Merino’s second crucial late goal in consecutive matches, having previously scored an injury-time winner against Portugal in the round of 16.
The quarterfinal encounter began with Spain taking the lead in the 30th minute through a rebound goal by Fabián Ruiz. Belgium responded shortly before halftime when forward Charles De Ketelaere headed in an equalizer in the 41st minute, marking the first goal Spain had conceded during the entire tournament. The match took a critical turn in the 71st minute when Belgium’s veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off due to an injury, leading to the introduction of Lammens, whose late handling error ultimately decided the outcome.
Following the whistle, Spain manager Luis De La Fuente praised his team’s resilience and expressed confidence ahead of their upcoming semifinal fixture. On the opposing side, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia commended his squad’s performance, noting that they competed on equal terms with Spain but lacked the necessary fortune to advance. The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 37 consecutive competitive matches dating back to March 2023, while simultaneously ending Belgium’s 18-match undefeated streak across all competitions.
Spain’s advancement sets up a highly anticipated semifinal clash against tournament favorites France, scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Both powerhouse nations remain undefeated in this year’s tournament, promising a highly competitive fixture between two of European football’s most dominant teams. As Spain aims for its first World Cup final appearance since their championship run in 2010, France represents the ultimate test for a Spanish side bolstered by depth and late-game clinical execution.
