Spain's Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring the late winner against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal. / Instagram/@fifaworldcup

Making full use of a costly error by substitute goalkeeper Sanne Lemens, Spain’s Mikel Merino pounced upon the opportunity to assure Spain a place in the last four of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Spain will now challenge France for a place in the gold medal round. It was for the second successive game that Mikel Merino scored the match winner for the European champions in this tournament.  

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Costly lapse by Belgian goalkeeper helps Spain through to semifinals

After an exciting game with both Spain and Belgium putting in their best, it was a substitution and an unintended lapse by the substitute that changed the complexion of the game.

With the score tied in the 88th minute, Belgium's Senne Lammens spilled a routine shot in the penalty area just minutes after coming into the match in place of injured starter Thibaut Courtois. 

Merino was quickest to react, slamming home the rebound to give the lead Spain was looking for to book a place in the semifinals. It was Merino's second decisive goal for his country in as many matches. Incidentally, Merino has also come as a substitute. With goals coming from him at decisive stages in important matches – in the round of 16 against Portugal and in the quarterfinals against Belgium – Merino has come to be known as the super sub. He comes from the bench to deliver and justify the confidence of the team management in his abilities.  

His opportunistic entries in the game at crucial stages have raised hopes that the most tantalizing potential matchup at this  World Cup is now a tantalising reality. It will be European champions playing runners-up of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a game that is expected to witness a fierce and absorbing contest.

Incidentally, the European rivals – France and Spain - entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 as co-favourites and have till now lived up to those expectations.

Besides France and Spain, there will be a third team from Europe in the semis as England and Norway will fight it out for that berth. The possibility of semifinals turning out to be an all European affair cannot be ruled out as Switzerland plays the defending champions Argentina in the fourth quarterfinal.

France has the most impressive record in this tournament by winning its initial Group matches by scoring at least three goals in each game with Kylian Mbappe as one of the leading individual scorers with eight goals in five matches to his credit. He is at par with Lionel Messi, captain of the defending champions, Argentina.

Ruthless in one-to-one  encounters coupled with lethality in transition, France has overwhelmed its opponents with its attacking firepower, athleticism and pace. The combination of its lethal strike team of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele has already accounted for  13 goals France has scored.  

Spain has been keeping its slate clean by remaining  unbeaten in its past 36 matches. The credit for its winning spree has been its knack for controlling a match and limiting opponents' scoring opportunities. The Spanish conceded their first goal in this World Cup to Belgium today.

Spain survived a Belgium team that was thought to be past its prime entering this World Cup but has disproved its critics. The Belgians finished atop their group, rallied late to topple Senegal in the Round of 32 and then outclassed the U.S. in the round of 16.

Belgium's hopes of springing an upset took a hit during pregame warmups when captain Youri Tielemans  reported injured. Though the type or seriousness of injury were not disclosed, his name was taken off from the starting list. That left Belgium down two key midfielders, with Amadou Onana already out for the rest of the World Cup after suffering a torn knee ligament against the hosts.

Spain started favourites and its domination in the first half was apparent. The possession and pressure of Spain started showing up in the game’s opening goal in the 30th minute. A deft move up the right side paved the way for Pedro Porro to direct the ball for Dani Olmo. Though Belgian custodian Thibaut Courtois dived to save Olmo's shot, but Fabián Ruiz was there to smash the rebound through a defender's legs and into an open inviting net.

It was rewarding for Ruiz as he justified his last minute inclusion in Spain's starting XI. Luis de la Fuente opted to start Ruiz.

At one stage it looked that a single goal lead One goal might be enough for Spain with Belgium struggling to generate possession in the attacking side of the field, let alone genuine scoring chances. Belgium, however, surprised everyone by producing a superb 41st-minute equalizer on one of its first substantive moves of the match. This was the first goal against Spain in the tournament.

Superb vision on a one-time pass from Kevin De Bruyne had created an opportunity for Timothy Castagne with enough room to make a cross. Charles De Ketelaere had little difficulty in getting past Pau Cubarsi in the box, got across him and headed the ball home, delivering the first World Cup goal against.

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