Merino's Late Heroics Send Spain Through
Mikel Merino delivered yet another dramatic late intervention, scoring in the 88th minute to send Spain past Belgium with a 2-1 victory and into the World Cup semifinals. The Arsenal forward was brought on in the 86th minute and needed only his second touch of the match to make the difference, rushing into the penalty area and capitalizing after Belgium's backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsi that had been struck from outside the area.
For Merino, it marked the second consecutive match in which he proved to be Spain's decisive figure after coming off the bench. In the round of 16, he had scored as a substitute early in injury time to clinch a 1-0 win over Portugal. His ability to change games in the closing stages has become a defining feature of Spain's tournament campaign.
Opening Goals at Both Ends
Spain took the lead in the 30th minute through Fabian Ruiz. The goal came after Pedro Porro delivered a cut-back from the right side of the area, finding Dani Olmo, whose shot was parried by Courtois. Ruiz was positioned to convert the rebound and give Spain the early advantage.
Belgium responded in the 41st minute through forward Charles De Ketelaere, who met Timothy Castagne's cross from the right with a header that found the back of the net. The goal was historically significant, as it was the first goal Spain had conceded in the entire World Cup. The header brought an end to a record streak of 649 minutes without conceding, a defensive run that had defined Spain's tournament up to that point.
Courtois Injury Shifts the Dynamic
The match took a turning point in the 71st minute when Belgium's longtime goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to leave the pitch with an apparent thigh injury. His departure brought Lammens into the game, and the backup keeper was immediately thrust into a tense and finely balanced contest.