Merino’s Second Miracle Propels Spain Past Belgium into World Cup Semifinals
A Hero Repeats His Magic
Spain edges Belgium and will face – INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Mikel Merino has once again become Spain’s World Cup savior, a feat so remarkable that even the midfielder himself struggles to comprehend it. Just four days after netting a dramatic injury-time winner against Portugal as a substitute, Merino found himself in the perfect position during the quarterfinals when Belgium’s replacement goalkeeper mishandled the ball directly into his path.
The midfielder unleashed a powerful strike in the 88th minute, securing a 2-1 triumph on Friday evening and setting up a monumental semifinal clash against tournament favorites France. The timing could not have been more perfect for Spain, who needed to advance after a grueling knockout stage.
“I’ve done this again, and it’s happened to me again, so it would seem that coincidence exists,” a beaming Merino remarked. “If you’re ready and you try, I guess it can happen for you.”
Already recognized as a versatile asset in any position he occupies—whether contributing as a depth player for his national team or his English club Arsenal—Merino has evolved into the ultimate super-sub. His contributions have provided exactly what Spain required to navigate two knockout encounters against elite opposition.
Historic Goals and Lucky Breaks
Merino has now recorded two goals in his maiden World Cup appearance, and both carry historical significance. His performance against Belgium showcased not only his timing but also his awareness and readiness to capitalize on opportunities.
“Honestly, it’s crazy to be able to help the team once again,” he explained. “This time in a different way, but at the same time to believe and trust that the opposing goalkeeper could make a mistake and to stay alert. … I prepare for when the moment comes, and hopefully they keep coming.”
The midfielder readily acknowledged that fortune played a role in his heroics. Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens inadvertently provided that luck after being thrust into his first World Cup appearance in the 71st minute following an injury to starter Thibaut Courtois. Merino entered the match in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch, charging into the penalty area and pouncing after Lammens lost control of Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort.
Earlier in the contest, Fabián Ruiz had opened the scoring with a rebound goal in the 30th minute for Spain. However, Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere responded by equalizing in the 41st minute, netting the first goal permitted by the Spanish squad throughout the entire tournament.
Looking Ahead to France
Merino’s decisive strike against an upset-minded Belgium side sent La Roja to the semifinals for the first time since their 2010 World Cup triumph. A powerhouse encounter with France had been anticipated since the draw was revealed late last year, and Spain expressed gratitude for securing their place in the next round.
“We came here for this, to play against the best teams in the world,” Merino stated. “We are confident in our possibilities, at the same time respecting the opposition. This is one of those games that you dream of when you’re a kid, and now we have the chance to compete against a massive rival. Hopefully we’ll get the win.”
Spain and France will convene on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, in a matchup that has been anticipated for years. Neither team has suffered a defeat at this year’s World Cup, setting the stage for an epic encounter.
“It will be a clash of giants,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente declared through a translator. “We are capable of winning this game — and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well. They are a great giant of football, but I trust our team.”
Meanwhile, Courtois contributed four saves before making his exit. The Real Madrid goalkeeper fell to the grass in the second half after a long kick, received treatment during the hydration break, and broke down in tears when coach Rudi Garcia substituted him. Only Germany’s Manuel Neuer has appeared in more World Cup matches than Courtois’ 21 appearances. Lammens, the capable Manchester United keeper, became the first goalkeeper other than Courtois to represent Belgium in the last four World Cup tournaments, though he could not prevent the decisive moment.
“We were on equal footing with Spain, and we have nothing to feel bad about,” Garcia reflected. “In the first half, they only had one chance, but they were very efficient. Unfortunately, to beat a team of this caliber, you need luck on your side as well, and it was too much for us to get into the semifinals.”
Belgium mounted a desperate push for an equalizer in the closing minutes, with substitute forward Romelu Lukaku spearheading the effort. Aymeric Laporte acrobatically volleyed the best opportunity out of the box in the second minute of injury time, preserving Spain’s lead.
“We knew how we could hurt them, and I think we did this today,” Belgium defender Brandon Mechele concluded. “It’s a pity that it ended like this, but I think we can be proud of the tournament we played.”
Spain maintained their unbeaten record in 37 consecutive competitive matches dating back to March 2023, while Belgium’s streak of 18 straight unbeaten matches across all competitions came to an end. Spain had not conceded a goal in their first five tournament matches, and goalkeeper Unai Simón had not faced significant pressure until the latter stages of the competition.
