Spain’s Mikel Merino pounced on a spilled save to snatch a late win against Belgium on Friday, as Luis de la Fuente’s side advanced to the World Cup semifinals.
Spain had taken the lead in the 30th minute when Fabián Ruiz slotted home a rebound following a save from Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois.
La Roja continued to threaten in the first half, particularly through Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal down the right flank, who cut inside and saw a chance flash wide of the post shortly after.
But Belgium pulled a goal back around 11 minutes later with a Charles De Ketelaere header, marking the first goal Spain have conceded at the tournament, and the two teams went into halftime tied at 1-1.
De la Fuente opted for changes early in the second half, bringing on Pedri and Ferran Torres to inject some freshness into the lineup, but the Spanish side seemed to lack a final gear.
There was late drama left in the game, however.
Real Madrid shot stopper Courtois departed the pitch with an injury in the 71st minute, with Senne Lammens coming on to replace him. As the match looked set to be heading to extra time, Lammens failed to hold a Pau Cubarsí shot from outside the box, with Merino firing the loose ball past the Manchester United keeper to make it 2-1 and seal the victory.
Spain will now go on to face Didier Deschamps’ France – arguably the tournament’s standout performer so far – in Dallas in the semifinals on Tuesday.
They would play either England, Norway, Argentina, or Switzerland should they make it to the final. England take on Norway in Miami on Saturday before Lionel Messi’s Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City.