Spain beat Belgium as late Merino strike seals World Cup semi-final spot

Spain reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Belgium, sealed by a late winner from substitute Mikel Merino. His intervention continued a remarkable pattern of decisive late goals, having previously struck in the closing stages against Germany at Euro 2024 and against Portugal in the quarter-final four days earlier. The result underlined Spain's momentum in the tournament, with the manner of these back-to-back dramatic wins fuelling talk that Luis de la Fuente's side may be destined to go all the way.

Merino came on with the clock at 85.32 and needed less than two minutes and a single touch to score, pouncing on a spilled shot from Pau Cubarsí after Belgium's substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens fumbled it. Lammens had been sent on to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois, whose withdrawal proved costly as he watched the winner from the bench. Spain had earlier taken the lead through Fabián Ruiz, who scored on the half-hour from a rebound after Courtois parried Dani Olmo's shot; De la Fuente's decision to start Ruiz ahead of Pedri was vindicated, as the PSG midfielder also created an early opening for Rodri. Spain dominated much of the contest before Belgium levelled to force the late drama.