Spain edge Belgium late to reach World Cup semifinals
Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 and set up a World Cup semifinal against France in Dallas.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Spain reached the World Cup semifinals after Mikel Merino struck in the 88th minute to beat Belgium 2-1, according to the Associated Press. The result sends Spain into a Tuesday semifinal in Dallas against France, which AP described as the tournament favourite.
Merino delivered from the bench for the second match in a row. AP reported that he entered in the 86th minute and scored with his second touch, reacting first after Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold a shot from Pau Cubarsi from outside the penalty area.
The late goal ended Belgium’s hopes after a match that had shifted sharply in the second half. Lammens, identified by AP as Manchester United’s goalkeeper, came on in the 71st minute after Thibaut Courtois, Belgium’s long-serving goalkeeper, left with an apparent thigh injury.
Spain had gone ahead in the 30th minute through Fabian Ruiz. AP reported that the move started on the right, where Pedro Porro cut the ball back for Dani Olmo, whose attempt was saved by Courtois before Ruiz followed up to score.
Belgium equalised before halftime through Charles De Ketelaere. His 41st-minute header from Timothy Castagne’s cross was the first goal Spain had conceded at this World Cup, AP reported.
The goal also ended Spain’s record run of 649 minutes without allowing a World Cup goal, according to AP. Belgium pressed late after Merino’s goal, but its best remaining chance was cleared when Aymeric Laporte volleyed the ball out of the box.
Merino’s latest intervention followed his decisive role in Spain’s previous knockout match. AP reported that the Arsenal forward also came on as a substitute against Portugal and scored early in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 win in the last 16.
Spain now move into a semifinal against a France side already through to the last four. The meeting in Dallas will decide one place in the World Cup final, while Spain carry forward a knockout run shaped by two late goals from the same substitute.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.