Mikel Merino has made a habit of this. Another late winner for Spain. Another night Belgium will not forget.
The Arsenal midfielder pounced on a goalkeeping error in the 88th minute to give Spain a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium at the Rose Bowl, sending La Roja into the FIFA World Cup semifinals against France and ending the Red Devils’ tournament in the cruelest possible fashion. Merino, who had already scored the late clincher against Portugal in the previous round, did it again—right place, right time, unforgiving finish.
The goal came from chaos rather than design. Pau Cubarsi tried his luck from outside the area, and replacement goalkeeper Senne Lammens could only parry the low drive. He scrambled to grab the loose ball. Merino reacted fastest and lifted it into the net.
Belgium were done.
“It seems like a coincidence but, if you go in prepared, it can happen again,” Merino said. “I’m thrilled. I doubt it will happen again, but we’ll see. Two matches to win a World Cup is a dream come true. Hopefully we can achieve it.”
Spain Start Strong, Belgium Begins With Misfortune
The match had begun badly for Belgium before a ball was even kicked. Youri Tielemans, named in the starting lineup, pulled out injured just before kickoff and was replaced by Hans Vanaken. Spain started the brighter of the two sides, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal curling a shot wide from the edge of the area before getting involved in the opener.
Yamal played a one-two with Pedro Porro and pulled back for Dani Olmo, whose first-time shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois—but the ball rolled directly to Fabian Ruiz, who fired home via a deflection off Timothy Castagne. Spain led after 30 minutes.
Belgium responded well and drew level 11 minutes later. Castagne whipped a cross from the right, and Charles De Ketelaere—scorer of two against the United States in the previous round—got in front of Cubarsi and powered a header past Unai Simon. It was only the first goal Spain had conceded in 650 minutes of World Cup football, a run stretching back to the group stage of the 2022 tournament.
The second half was absorbing. Yamal tested Courtois, though he appeared marginally offside and a goal would have been disallowed. Maxim De Cuyper put a good chance into the side-netting at the other end. Belgium appealed for a penalty when the ball struck Rodri’s arm following a ricochet off Aymeric Laporte—nothing was given.
More Belgian Bad Luck
Then came the moment that changed everything. Courtois, who had made a smart near-post stop to deny Mikel Oyarzabal moments earlier, was forced off on 71 minutes with what appeared to be a thigh injury. He left the field in tears. Lammens, the Manchester United goalkeeper, came on as his replacement.
It proved decisive in the worst way for Belgium.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was measured but confident about what comes next.
“It’s an honor to coach a team so committed and eager to improve,” he said. “It’s fair to think we can beat France. We’re going to work hard for it. A great team is going to face another great team.”
Spain versus France. The bigger final—before the final. Merino will be watching and waiting for his moment again.
