Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a 2-1 victory over Belgium, with Mikel Merino scoring a decisive goal in the 88th minute. This late strike, his second consecutive match-winning goal as a substitute, sets up a semifinal clash against France in Dallas on Tuesday.
The match saw Spain break the deadlock in the 30th minute. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro combined on the right flank to set up Dani Olmo. Although Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois initially parried Olmo’s shot, Fabián Ruiz was positioned to convert the rebound, giving Spain the lead. Ruiz’s inclusion in the starting lineup was a surprise, as he replaced Pedri.
Spain’s strong defensive record was a notable aspect of their tournament performance, having maintained five consecutive clean sheets before this match. Goalkeeper Unai Simón had set a World Cup record by not conceding a goal for 650 minutes. However, this impressive streak came to an end in the 41st minute when Charles De Ketelaere of Belgium scored with a header from a cross by Timothy Castagne, levelling the score before halftime.
Key Moments and Injuries
The second half saw a significant moment when Belgium’s star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, was forced to leave the field in the 71st minute due to an apparent thigh injury. He was visibly emotional as he departed, and Senne Lammens, the Manchester United keeper, came on as his replacement. This change in goal proved to be a critical factor in the closing stages of the match.
The decisive goal arrived in the 88th minute. Mikel Merino, who had entered the game just two minutes prior, capitalized on a rebound. Pau Cubarsí unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area, which Lammens spilled. Merino, an Arsenal forward, charged into the box and scored with only his second touch of the match, securing Spain’s 2-1 lead.
Merino’s heroics were not new to this tournament; he had previously scored a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, securing a 1-0 victory for Spain. His ability to make an immediate impact off the bench has been crucial for his team’s progression.
Belgium made a desperate push for an equalizer in the final minutes. Despite their efforts, including a late surge led by Romelu Lukaku, Aymeric Laporte made a crucial acrobatic clearance in stoppage time, denying Belgium’s best chance and preserving Spain’s lead.
Match Context and What’s Next
Belgium faced several challenges even before the match began. Amadou Onana was injured, and captain Youri Tielemans withdrew during warm-ups. Despite these setbacks, Kevin De Bruyne returned to the lineup. The loss of Courtois during the match further compounded their difficulties.
With this victory, Spain extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches. Conversely, Belgium’s 18-game undefeated streak came to an end. The Spanish coach, Luis De La Fuente, commented after the match that the upcoming semifinal against France would be “a clash of giants.”
Spain will now prepare to face France, who are considered tournament favorites, in the semifinals scheduled for Tuesday in Dallas.
Read Also
Source: aljazeera.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
