Mikel Merino once again proved to be Spain’s unlikely match-winner, coming off the bench to score a dramatic late goal as La Roja defeated Belgium 2-1 and secured their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
The Arsenal midfielder, who rescued Spain with a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, delivered another decisive contribution in Los Angeles. This time, he struck in the 88th minute to settle a fiercely contested quarter-final that looked destined for extra time.
With the score locked at 1-1, Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens—who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois—failed to hold Pau Cubarsí’s powerful 25-yard effort. Merino reacted quickest, pouncing on the loose ball to smash the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.
Remarkably, the midfielder had been on the pitch for just 117 seconds after replacing Dani Olmo before making the decisive impact.
Spain had taken the lead in the 30th minute through Fabián Ruiz, who finished confidently after a dominant spell from Luis de la Fuente’s side. However, Belgium responded just before the interval, with Charles De Ketelaere heading home four minutes before half-time to score Spain’s first goal conceded at the tournament.
Despite Belgium’s spirited resistance, Spain found a late breakthrough to continue their impressive World Cup campaign.
The victory sends Spain into the semi-finals, where they will face France in a blockbuster showdown in Dallas on Tuesday, 14 July, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
