INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a match that unfolded as anticipated, Spain claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday. The decisive moment came from a late goal by Mikel Merino, who had already distinguished himself in this tournament by scoring the winning goal against Portugal in the Round of 16.
Merino seized an opportunity when Belgian substitute Senne Ramens mishandled a save, sending the ball into the air. He capitalized on this mistake, driving the ball into the roof of the net at Los Angeles Stadium and securing Spain’s spot in their second FIFA World Cup semi-final.
Spain’s victory also extended their impressive unbeaten streak to 36 games, just one short of Italy’s all-time record of 37. This win sets the stage for an eagerly anticipated semi-final clash against France on Tuesday.
After the match, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente remarked, through an interpreter, that the upcoming game “will be a match between giants.”
Having joined the game as a substitute in the 86th minute, Merino only needed his second touch to find the back of the net. This echoed his previous performance against Portugal, where he similarly entered the game as a substitute and proved to be the match-winner. “I did it again, and it happened again, so you would think there would be coincidences,” he said with a grin. He emphasized that hard work breeds such fortunate moments: “If you’re ready and you work hard, it can happen to you too. I’m very, very happy.”
In a pivotal moment for Belgium, their starting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was substituted in the 71st minute due to an injury. The Manchester United keeper, while stepping in for Courtois, struggled with Pau Kvarsi’s long-range shot, ultimately fumbling the ball into Merino’s path.
De la Fuente made a strategic adjustment by replacing Pedri with Fabian Ruiz, a decision that quickly paid dividends. Ruiz capitalized on a rebound shortly after the first-half water break, putting Spain ahead. “We know what they’ll bring when we put them in,” de la Fuente noted after the game. “Pedri and Fabian are among the best players in the world… We always have to reflect on where the player fits.” He added that the team’s dynamics allow for seamless transitions and everyone understands their role, eliminating any potential resentment.
The opening goal was a result of excellent teamwork, initiated by Lamine Yamal on the right side. He found Pedro Polo, whose cross was met by Dani Olmo. While Courtois managed to save Olmo’s shot, it fell perfectly for Ruiz, who pushed it into the net.
Yamal’s appearance marked his sixth in this tournament, making him the youngest player to achieve this milestone in World Cup history. Despite Spain’s dominance during the first half, Belgium found an equalizer just before the break. Timothy Castagne delivered a precise cross, allowing Charles de Quetelaele to head the ball past Unai Simon, marking the first time Spain conceded in this tournament.
While Spain maintained possession for much of the second half, Belgium demonstrated flashes of danger, particularly with Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne creating opportunities. However, Belgium suffered a significant setback when Courtois was forced off the pitch, unable to recover fully from an apparent muscular injury. Belgian coach Rudi Garcia acknowledged the challenge of playing through injury, stating, “From the beginning of the World Cup, I didn’t want to put a player on the pitch who wasn’t 100 percent and that was Courtois today.” He emphasized that while Courtois had performed admirably throughout the tournament, protecting his health was the priority.
This match was not Belgium’s sole injury concern. Captain Youri Tielemans was sidelined prior to kickoff due to an injury sustained in warm-ups. Tielemans had been a crucial part of Belgium’s journey to the quarter-finals, contributing significantly during the group stage. Garcia expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s disappointing because I thought everyone deserved to go far.” He reflected on the intensity of the match, which remained tactically close until the end.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN Global Research was used in this report.
