Spain 2-1 Belgium: Fabian 30, Merino 88; De Ketelaere 41
The Spain train rumbles on and once again it was Mikel Merino who delivered the decisive moment from the bench to sink Belgium. Fast and alert, the midfielder moved like lightning to tap in after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsi’s powerful long-range effort in the 88th minute
It is the second time Merino has delivered late for La Roja, after also scoring late to decide the contest against Portugal in the last round. With victory here in Los Angeles, Spain booked a place in the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face France.
The late winner put an end to Belgium’s stubborn resistance after they had recovered from falling behind in the first half. Fabian Ruiz gave Spain a deserved lead on the half-hour, finishing from close range after Thibaut Courtois parried Dani Olmo’s first-time strike. The move began with Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal combining down the right before Porro’s cut-back found Olmo inside the area.
Spain had looked in complete control for much of the opening period. Lamine Yamal increasingly dictated the tempo and unsettled Belgium’s defence with his dribbling and movement. Courtois was forced into several saves to prevent the advantage from growing.
Belgium, however, punished one lapse before the interval to break Spain’s run of clean sheets. Before this tie, Luis de la Fuente’s side had conceded a goal at this World Cup. Jeremy Doku’s driving run started the attack before Kevin De Bruyne’s pass released Timothy Castagne, whose cross was met by Charles De Ketelaere with a well-timed header beyond the Spanish defence.
Spain resumed on the front foot after the break. Cubarsi, with his prodigious passing from deep, repeatedly opened up Belgium’s defensive line. Yamal forced Courtois into another save before curling narrowly wide. Mikel Oyarzabal also came close after being slipped through by the winger, but Belgium’s captain remained equal to the task.
The Belgian Red Devils would rue Courtois’ thigh injury in the 71st minute, when he had to be replaced by Senne Lammens, who ended up losing concentration and Cubarsi’s sudden shot could slip from his grasp. Merino was there to capitalise.
