Merino's late winner sends Spain past Belgium into World Cup semifinals

Mikel Merino (front) of Spain celebrates scoring with his teammate during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner for the second consecutive match as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 here on Friday to book its first FIFA World Cup semifinal appearance since 2010, setting up a last-four clash against France in Dallas next Tuesday.

Merino had also come off the bench to score the winner in Spain's 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16, while the Red Devils cruised past co-host the United States 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Spain opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz fired home the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had parried Dani Olmo's first-time effort from Pedro Porro's low cross following a run by Lamine Yamal.

The Red Devils equalized in the 41st minute after Timothy Castagne delivered a cross from the right and Charles De Ketelaere rose ahead of Pau Cubarsi to head past Unai Simon, ending the Spanish goalkeeper's World Cup clean-sheet streak at 650 minutes, a record that stretched across the 2022 and 2026 tournaments.

Belgium suffered a setback in the 71st minute when Courtois was forced off injured after making his 21st FIFA World Cup appearance, the second-most among goalkeepers behind Germany's Manuel Neuer (23).

Merino struck the decisive goal in the 88th minute, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute. Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold Pau Cubarsi's long-range effort, allowing the Spanish midfielder to pounce on the loose ball from close range.

"The most important thing is the group, the team," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said after the match. "Everybody that's in the game or out of the pitch has a task, and they do it very well."

"Merino was there for only part of the game, but he made a very big difference," he added.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia said his team had no reason to feel ashamed after pushing Spain to the limit. "I think that we were able to really give the Spanish squad a run for their money," Garcia said, adding that too many factors went against his side.

Garcia also praised his players' performance, saying they were able to compete on equal terms with Spain. "They only had one chance in the second half, but they were very efficient," he said. "We needed lady luck to be on our side, and unfortunately she was smiling at Spain and not Belgium."

La Roja held on for the 2-1 victory to return to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

The victory extended Spain's unbeaten run in regular time to 36 matches, dating back to their 1-0 friendly defeat to Colombia in 2024.