Mikel Merino has once again proven to be Spain’s late-game savior, scoring a decisive goal in the 87th minute to secure their spot in the World Cup semi-finals. The midfielder, who has a history of scoring crucial late goals in major tournaments, pounced on a loose ball in Los Angeles to send Spain through to face France next week.
Spain’s victory began with a tactical decision that paid off. Manager Luis de la Fuente replaced Pedri with Fabian Ruiz, and the PSG midfielder played a key role in Spain’s opening goal. In the tenth minute, Ruiz set up Rodri, who then scored the first goal around the half-hour mark. The build-up involved Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal combining to break down Belgium’s defense. Yamal’s precise pass found Porro in the area, whose pull-back was met by Dani Olmo. Although Thibaut Courtois initially saved Olmo’s shot, Ruiz was on hand to convert the rebound.
The first half saw Spain asserting control, with Lamine Yamal showcasing his skill by evading Jérémy Doku and hitting the side-netting. However, Belgium found their way back into the game. In the 40th minute, Charles De Ketelaere equalized with a header, marking Spain’s first conceded goal of the tournament. The move originated from Doku on the left, with Kevin De Bruyne providing a crucial pass to Timothy Castagne, whose perfect cross was met by De Ketelaere ahead of Pau Cubarsi.
The second half started with Spain looking to regain the lead. Cubarsi delivered another impressive pass, releasing Lamine Yamal into the area. Although Courtois made a save and the offside flag was raised, the opportunity highlighted space behind Belgium’s defense. Spain continued to press, with Lamine Yamal’s shot from the edge of the area going wide.
Substitutions were made by both sides to inject fresh energy. Pedri and Ferran Torres were introduced for Spain, while Belgium brought on Axel Witsel, Joaquin Seys, and Romelu Lukaku. Before Spain’s changes, Belgium had a significant chance when Doku and De Bruyne combined, leading to Maxim De Cruyper firing a shot into the side-netting. Courtois was then called into action again, denying Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal.
The match took a critical turn with injuries to Belgium’s key players. Thibaut Courtois was forced off the field in tears after sustaining a thigh injury, having already lost Youri Tielemans before kickoff. Kevin De Bruyne also had to be substituted later. With Courtois’s departure, Spain found a clearer path forward, though they still struggled to break down Belgium’s resilient defense for a period.
Ultimately, Belgium’s resistance was broken shortly after Mikel Merino entered the game. In just one minute and fifty-six seconds of being on the pitch, Merino scored the decisive goal, confirming Spain’s place in the World Cup semi-finals and leaving Belgium to rue their missed opportunities and unfortunate injuries. Mikel Merino’s amazing moment arrived once more, a country circling the corner flag with him. The man who came on to scored the late, late goals that took Spain into a European championship semi final two years ago and a World Cup quarter final four days ago, only went and did it again. This is some hat-trick, history. His goal came in the 85.32 minute of the match.
And then, suddenly, it wasn’t. And then 40 minutes and 12 seconds into the sixth game, at 12.40 Pacific Time, Spain conceded their first goal of this World Cup when Charles De Ketelaere headed Belgium level. It had started, as almost everything Belgium did, with Doku dashing forward on the left but the move had continu
