Mikel Merino: Spain’s super-sub strikes again in World Cup thriller. The Arsenal forward scored a dramatic 88th-minute winner just two minutes after coming off the bench, guiding Spain to a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinal in Inglewood. Spain will now face tournament favorites France in a blockbuster semi-final clash in Dallas on Tuesday.
Mikel Merino’s heroics came after he entered the pitch in the 86th minute. In the 88th minute, Pau Cubarsí unleashed a powerful long-range strike that Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled. Merino charged in to tuck the ball home with only his second touch, repeating his 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the Round of 16. Spanish coach Luis De La Fuente called it a clash of giants ahead of the semi-final.
Spain broke the deadlock in the 30th minute through Fabián Ruiz, who scored from a rebound after Dani Olmo’s initial shot was saved. Goalkeeper Unai Simón’s record 650-minute clean sheet streak ended in the 41st minute when Charles De Ketelaere headed in Timothy Castagne’s cross. Belgium lost star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a thigh injury in the 71st minute, a moment that proved pivotal.
This win extended Spain’s incredible unbeaten run to 37 matches, while Belgium’s 18-game undefeated streak came to an end. Spain’s defensive resilience, with Aymeric Laporte making a crucial acrobatic clearance in stoppage time, sealed the victory. Mikel Merino continues to prove why he is Spain’s most reliable super-sub in this tournament.