Substitute Mikel Merino once again proved Spain’s match-winner, scoring a dramatic late goal as La Roja edged Belgium 2-1 on Friday to reach the FIFA World Cup semifinals for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2010.
Spain will now face France in the last four in Dallas on Tuesday.
Merino, who also came off the bench to score the winner in Spain’s 1-0 Round of 16 victory over Portugal, struck just two minutes after his introduction. Belgium, meanwhile, had booked their quarterfinal berth with a commanding 4-1 win over co-hosts the United States, according to Xinhua.
Spain took the lead in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz reacted quickest to fire home the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had parried Dani Olmo’s first-time effort from Pedro Porro’s low cross, following a surging run by Lamine Yamal.
Belgium restored parity four minutes before halftime as Timothy Castagne’s cross from the right found Charles De Ketelaere, who rose above Pau Cubarsi to head past Unai Simon. The goal ended Spain’s run of six consecutive World Cup clean sheets and brought Simon’s World Cup shutout streak to a record 650 minutes to an end.
The Red Devils suffered a major blow in the 71st minute when Courtois was forced off with an injury after making his 21st FIFA World Cup appearance, the second-most by a goalkeeper, behind Germany’s Manuel Neuer (23).
Spain found the breakthrough in the 88th minute when Pau Cubarsi’s long-range effort was spilled by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, allowing Merino to tap home the rebound from close range.
Spain held firm in the closing minutes to seal a 2-1 victory, returning to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
The win also extended La Roja’s unbeaten run in regular time to 36 matches, dating back to their 1-0 friendly defeat to Colombia in 2024.