Mikel Merino struck an 88th-minute winner as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles to reach the World Cup semi-finals. The victory extends Luis de la Fuente’s side’s unbeaten record to 26 games and secures a Tuesday showdown with tournament favourites France.
Fabian Ruiz broke a near two-year international goal drought to open the scoring on the half-hour, converting the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had parried Dani Olmo’s goal-bound effort. Belgium responded before the interval when Charles De Ketelaere rose above Pau Cubarsí to head in Timothy Castagne’s delivery, registering his third goal of the tournament and ending Spain’s run of seven consecutive clean sheets.
The decisive goal arrived two minutes from time. Substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Courtois shortly after the hour mark, spilled Cubarsí’s long-range strike, allowing Merino to sweep home from close range. The Real Sociedad midfielder repeated his match-winning heroics from the Round of 16 victory over Portugal.
Belgium’s injury crisis mounts
Rudi Garcia’s preparations were disrupted before kick-off when captain Youri Tielemans suffered an injury during the warm-up and was withdrawn from the starting line-up. The situation deteriorated midway through the second half when Courtois was forced off in tears with a thigh problem. Kevin De Bruyne also limped out in the closing stages, adding to the absence of Amadou Onana, who tore a cruciate ligament earlier in the tournament.
Before the match, Courtois had warned that containing Lamine Yamal would require numerical superiority. “Lamine is Lamine; we know he’s very talented in one-on-one situations,” he said. “When we can create a two-on-one situation, I think that’s how you try to stop him, but he’s a star, he’s a great player and it really is difficult to stop him.” The Barcelona winger justified that assessment, being named “Superior Player of the Match” after repeatedly testing the Belgian defence.
Spain set up France showdown
The result marks only the second occasion Spain have reached a World Cup semi-final, the previous being their triumphant 2010 campaign. De la Fuente’s decision to prefer Ruiz over Pedri in the starting eleven was vindicated by the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s opener, though it was Merino’s impact from the bench that proved decisive.
Spain will face France in the first semi-final on Tuesday, a day after Yamal’s 19th birthday. La Roja defeated Les Bleus at the same stage en route to winning Euro 2024 and the 2023 Nations League.