European champions Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday, setting up a blockbuster last-four showdown with France.
Substitute Mikel Merino struck the winner in the 88th minute at SoFi Stadium after Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a low shot into his path, sealing Spain’s place in Tuesday’s semi-final in Dallas against Kylian Mbappé and Les Bleus.
The late drama left Lammens devastated after the 24-year-old, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois late in the second half, endured a nightmare World Cup debut.
Spain had taken the lead through Fabián Ruiz before Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium against the run of play just before half-time.
Belgium suffered an early setback when captain Youri Tielemans sustained a hamstring injury during the warm-up, forcing coach Rudi Garcia to reshuffle his midfield. Already without the injured Amadou Onana, the Red Devils struggled to match Spain’s dominance in possession.
Spain controlled the opening exchanges, with Ruiz dictating play alongside Rodri, while teenage winger Lamine Yamal came close with an early curling effort.
Belgium threatened on the counter through Jérémy Doku, who linked up well with De Ketelaere, but it was Spain who broke the deadlock in the 30th minute.
Pedro Porro combined neatly with Yamal before cutting the ball back to Dani Olmo, whose effort was parried by Courtois into the path of Ruiz, who calmly converted the rebound.
Spain continued to dominate possession, but Belgium capitalised on one of their few opportunities before the interval.
Kevin De Bruyne released Timothy Castagne down the right, and his cross found De Ketelaere, who timed his run perfectly before powering a header past Unai Simón to score Spain’s first goal conceded at the tournament.
Belgium nearly turned the game around before the break when Doku was denied after De Ketelaere launched a swift counterattack.
Spain regained control after the restart, with Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal both going close as Courtois produced several important saves.
Rudi Garcia introduced Romelu Lukaku in search of a winner, while Spain continued to press for a breakthrough.
Belgium’s hopes suffered another blow in the 70th minute when Courtois was forced off through injury, handing Lammens an unexpected World Cup debut.
The decisive moment came two minutes from time when Pau Cubarsí’s low effort slipped through the substitute goalkeeper’s grasp. Merino reacted quickest to the loose ball, firing home his second successive late winner after also scoring the decisive goal against Portugal in the Round of 16.
Belgium had one final opportunity in stoppage time, but Alexis Saelemaekers was unable to find Lukaku after rounding the goalkeeper.
At the final whistle, Courtois embraced the distraught Lammens as Belgium’s World Cup campaign came to a painful end, while Spain celebrated a hard-fought victory before turning their attention to a mouth-watering semi-final against France.
AFP
