Los Angeles: Former champions Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a dramatic quarter-final on Friday night. Spain will now face France in the semi-finals, scheduled for Monday after midnight (12:30 AM IST).
Spain and Belgium were locked at 1-1 until the 87th minute, with the contest seemingly heading into extra time. However, substitute Mikel Merino capitalised on a costly mistake by Belgium’s goalkeeper in the 88th minute to score the match-winning goal. Merino had entered the field only two minutes earlier, in the 86th minute, and made an immediate impact by sealing Spain’s place in the last four.
The decisive moment came after Spain launched sustained pressure on the Belgian defence. Pau Cubarsi’s effort was initially gathered by Belgium’s reserve goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but he failed to hold onto the ball. Merino reacted quickest to the rebound and calmly slotted it into the net. Belgium’s first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had been forced off with an injury in the 71st minute, and Lammens’ costly error ultimately proved decisive.
Spain Reach Their Third World Cup Semi-final
That single mistake by Belgium’s stand-in goalkeeper ended their World Cup campaign, while Spain advanced to the semi-finals for the third time in tournament history. Spain famously lifted their only FIFA World Cup title in 2010 after defeating the Netherlands in the final.
In regular time, Fabian Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the first half, before Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium in the 41st minute. Merino’s late strike eventually separated the two sides in an enthralling contest.
Remaining Quarter-final Fixtures
Norway vs England
Today after midnight – 2:30 AM IST
Argentina vs Switzerland
Tomorrow morning – 6:30 AM IST
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