Spain Edge Belgium to Reach World Cup Semi-Final Clash With France

Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals at the Los Angeles Stadium. Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens to secure Spain’s first time in the top four since their 2010 title.

Merino’s Late Strike Secures Semifinal Berth

Mikel Merino delivered the decisive blow in the 88th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock and send Spain through to face France on July 14 in Dallas. The Arsenal midfielder, who had previously scored the winner against Portugal in the round of 16, reacted quickest after Belgium’s replacement keeper Senne Lammens failed to hold onto a shot from Pau Cubarsi.

The victory marks a significant milestone for the European champions, returning them to the World Cup’s top four for the first time in 16 years. Spain’s dominance was evident throughout the match, maintaining overwhelming possession and creating a higher volume of chances than the Belgian side.

Fabián Ruiz Opens Scoring in Los Angeles

Spain took the lead in the 30th minute through Fabián Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder started the match after coach Luis de la Fuente opted to keep Pedri on the bench. Ruiz converted from approximately seven meters following a sequence where Thibaut Courtois parried a shot from Dani Olmo, leaving the ball open for the tap-in.

The match took place before a crowd of 70,492 spectators, including high-profile attendees such as actors Brad Pitt, Penélope Cruz, and Javier Bardem.

Unai Simon’s Record Ends at 649 Minutes

Belgium equalized in the 41st minute, ending Unai Simon’s historic run of clean sheets. Charles De Ketelaere scored the 1-1 header after a build-up involving Kevin De Bruyne and Timothy Castagne, with Jeremy Doku also playing a role in the sequence.

The goal ended Simon’s streak at 649 minutes without conceding a goal, making Belgium the first team in this tournament to beat the Spanish keeper. Simon had previously surpassed the World Cup record of 517 minutes held by Italy’s Walter Zenga during Spain’s round of 32 match against Austria.

Belgian Roster Shifts and Goalkeeper Drama

Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans suffered an injury during warm-ups and was replaced in the starting lineup by Hans Vanaken of Club Brugge. Kevin De Bruyne also returned to the starting eleven after being absent from the 4-1 victory over the USA in the round of 16.

The match saw a critical shift in the 71st minute when Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois was forced off due to hamstring issues. Courtois had appeared in 21 World Cup matches, trailing only Manuel Neuer’s 23 appearances as the most experienced goalkeeper in the tournament’s history.

Senne Lammens of Manchester United entered the game to replace Courtois. While Lammens initially kept the Belgians in the match, his inability to secure the Cubarsi shot in the 88th minute directly led to Merino’s winning goal.

Tactical Breakdown: Possession vs. Counter-Pressure

Spain controlled the tempo from the start, recording double the number of passes as Belgium within the first 15 minutes. Lamine Yamal remained a constant threat, nearly scoring in the 52nd minute with a shot that narrowly missed the near post.

Belgium relied heavily on the creativity of Jeremy Doku, whose dribbling frequently disrupted the Spanish defense. The Belgian side also grew more dangerous after the 60th minute, highlighted by the introduction of Romelu Lukaku and a near-miss from Maxim De Cuyper in the 55th minute.

Spain now prepares for a clash of tournament favorites against France. The semifinal is scheduled for July 14 in Dallas, where the European champions will look to secure their first final appearance since 2010.

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