Merino Magic Sends Belgium Crashing Out as Spain Reach the Semifinals

Sports Desk: Spain secured a place in the FIFA World Cup semifinals with a thrilling 2–1 victory over Belgium in a high-voltage quarterfinal clash. La Roja will now face defending runners-up France in the last four.

The first half at the Los Angeles stadium ended 1–1. However, substitute Mikel Merino emerged as the match-winner, scoring a dramatic late goal in the 88th minute to seal Spain’s victory.

Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain, while Charles De Ketelaere found the equalizer for Belgium. Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute, but Belgium responded in the 41st minute when De Ketelaere headed home brilliantly from Timothy Castagne’s superb cross. The goal ended Spain’s remarkable run of more than 600 minutes without conceding.

Both teams played with great intensity after the break, trading attacks and creating several chances. Belgium suffered a major setback in the 60th minute when first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a thigh injury. He was replaced by Manchester United’s young goalkeeper Senne Lammens. At the same time, Belgium strengthened their attack by introducing Romelu Lukaku.

With the match seemingly destined for extra time, Spain head coach brought on Mikel Merino in place of Dani Olmo in the 86th minute.

Merino repaid his coach’s faith just two minutes later. In the 88th minute, after attempts from Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were blocked, Pau Cubarsí collected the loose ball and fired a low shot. Lammens failed to hold onto it, allowing the alert Merino to tap the rebound into the net and restore Spain’s lead (2–1). It was a familiar story for the Spanish midfielder, who had also scored as a substitute against Portugal in the Round of 16.

Belgium refused to give up and came agonizingly close to equalizing in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Jérémy Doku set up Alexis Saelemaekers, who beat Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón and squared the ball for Lukaku. But with the goal at his mercy, Aymeric Laporte produced a sensational goal-line clearance to preserve Spain’s lead.

Tempers flared in the closing moments, with Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne, veteran defender Axel Witsel, and Spain’s Laporte all receiving yellow cards following a heated exchange.

In the end, Spain walked off the pitch with a hard-fought 2–1 victory after the referee blew the final whistle. The win secured La Roja’s place in the World Cup semifinals, while Belgium’s much-celebrated “Golden Generation” saw their campaign come to an end at the quarterfinal stage.