Spain booked a blockbuster semi-final meeting with France after beating Belgium 2-1 thanks to last-gasp specialist Mikel Merino in Los Angeles.
The substitute arrived in the 88th minute to pounce on an error from stand-in goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was a late introduction himself after Thibaut Courtois was forced off injured, turning home the rebound from Pau Cubarsi’s opportunistic strike.
The moment was as excruciating for Lammens as it was exhilarating for Merino, coming up clutch again after also scoring a late winner in victory over Portugal in the last round. He had only been on the pitch for 117 seconds, scoring with just his second touch.
Spain had been breached for the first time at this World Cup in the first half, when makeshift No 9 Charles De Ketelaere headed Timothy Castagne’s teasing cross beyond Unai Simon to cancel out a well-worked opener from Fabian Ruiz.
But Luis de la Fuente’s side were not to be denied, Merino, so often Arsenal’s saviour, refusing to stand down. For club and country, he continues to offer solutions in big moments, his only touch in the Belgium box resulting in the decisive goal.
Spain remain unbeaten since March 2023, a remarkable streak of 37 matches, and will play tournament favourites France in a tantalising tie in Texas on Tuesday for the right to contest the final. De la Fuente has now managed more games at major tournaments without losing than any other international manager (13).
The key moments from Los Angeles
Spain’s Mikel Merino (6) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/ Jae C. Hong)
30: GOAL! Fabian Ruiz benefits from some poor Courtois handling and slams home on the rebound from close range.
41: GOAL! Charles De Ketelaere latches onto Castagne’s teasing cross and heads Belgium level.
47: CHANCE! Lamine Yamal is released by Cubarsi but denied by Courtois 1vs1.
55: CHANCE! Lovely one-two between Doku and De Bruyne gets De Cuyper in behind, who smashes carelessly at the side-netting.
61: SAVES! Lamine Yamal effort beaten away by the busy Courtois, before saving from Oyarzabal.
72: INJURY! Senne Lammens replaces Courtois in goal after injury forces him off.
88: GOAL! Mikel Merino scores with his second touch after Lammens spills Cubarsi’s low shot.
