Spain reached the World Cup semifinals on Friday, beating Belgium 2-1 thanks to a late goal from the substitute Mikel Merino, and set up a last-four meeting with France. Merino, on the pitch only a few minutes, settled a tie that Spain had dominated but not put away, ESPN reported.
How it unfolded
Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the first half, finishing after Belgium's defense was breached, only for Charles De Ketelaere to draw Belgium level before the interval. The second half followed a familiar pattern: Spain, the European champions, controlled the ball and territory but struggled to convert their advantage into clear chances against a well-organized Belgian side. With the match seemingly drifting toward extra time, Merino came off the bench and, in the closing minutes, produced the decisive moment, France 24 reported, pouncing to score the winner and spare Spain a nervier finish.
Merino, the late hero
The goal continued a habit for Merino, who has a knack of arriving with important interventions late in games. His winner was, in one sense, against the run of a tight second half, but in another entirely in keeping with Spain's afternoon: sustained pressure that finally, and only just, told. For Belgium, it was a cruel way to exit, having done much of what they set out to do in frustrating Spain, only to be undone in the final stretch.
What it means
Victory sends Spain into a semifinal against France, who reached the last four by beating Morocco, setting up a heavyweight clash between two of the pre-tournament favorites. Spain will be encouraged by their control and by the strength of a bench that could change a game, but their wastefulness in front of goal is the kind of flaw that better opponents punish. France, unbeaten and efficient, will present a far sterner test than Belgium managed to.
Belgium go home
For Belgium, the defeat ends a campaign that promised more than it ultimately delivered, another tournament in which a talented generation fell short of the last four. They can point to a disciplined display that took Spain to the wire, but knockout football rewards the decisive, and it was Spain, through Merino, who found the moment that mattered. Spain move on; the semifinal against France now looms as the tie that could define their tournament.
