Mikel Merino came off the bench again to rescue Spain, scoring in the 88th minute of La Roja’s 2-1 defeat by Belgium in a World Cup quarter-final in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
A place in the July 19 final will be up for grabs when Spain face France in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday. The French are seeking a third straight trip to the finals after winning in 2018 before losing on penalties to Argentina four years ago.
Merino, who was on the pitch less than six minutes before scoring the second-half stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday, came on in the 86th minute and smashed home a rebound after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a soft shot from Pau Cubarsi.
Mikel Merino came off the bench again to rescue Spain, scoring in the 88th minute to beat Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarter-final in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
A place in the July 19 final will be up for grabs when Spain face France in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday. The French are seeking a third straight trip to the finals after winning in 2018 before losing on penalties to Argentina four years ago.
Spain are back in the semi-finals for the first time since they won their only World Cup in 2010.
Merino, who was on the pitch less than six minutes before scoring the second-half stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday, came on in the 86th minute and smashed home a rebound after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a soft shot from Pau Cubarsi.
Lammens replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois (four saves) in the 71st minute, unable to play through an apparent leg injury.
In the second minute of second-half stoppage time, Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte saved goalkeeper Unai Simon with a clearance in front of the goal.
Spain had not conceded a goal in the tournament through five games but were tied 1-1 at half-time.
Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute with a rebound from a shot from Dani Olmo, but a header from Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st was the equaliser.
Spain almost opened the scoring in the 21st but a strike from star Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, was close to the left post and the lead came soon after.
A cross from the left from Pedro Poro was well struck by Olmo in the center of the box, giving Courtois a right-handed save.
Ruiz, who got the start over Barcelona’s Pedri in midfield, was in perfect position for the putback.
La Roja allowed Belgium back into the game with uncharacteristically poor clearance and Timothy Castagne sent a cross in from the right for De Ketelaere, who got into position on Cubarsi and slotted the ball past Unai Simon.
The goal ended Simon’s World Cup record of 650 minutes without conceding a goal, which dates back to the 2022 World Cup.
The goal came a minute after Yamal was again on target from distance, this time at the right post.
It was briefly open on the hour when Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who had twice narrowly missed scoring, had a shot from outside the box stopped by Courtois.
At the other end, Kevin De Bruyne’s shot was saved before Spain responded, Courtois denying Mikel Oyarzabal at the right post.
Belgium captain and midfielder Youri Tielemans suffered an undisclosed injury during the warm-up and was scratched from the starting line-up. Hans Vanaken replaced him.
Belgium saw their 18-match unbeaten streak end, while Spain extended their own unbeaten streak to a team-high 36, one shy of the record of 37 set by Italy from 2018-21.
