Mikel Merino scored just 117 seconds after coming on as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the World Cup semi finals. A Senne Lammens error sealed it. Spain will now face France. Full match report, stats, and analysis.
Some players are built for big moments. Mikel Merino is one of them.
The Arsenal midfielder came off the bench and scored with his second touch to send Spain into the World Cup semi finals with a 2-1 win over Belgium in Texas. It was another late winner. It was another clutch moment. And it was another step toward history for Luis de la Fuente's side.
Spain will now face tournament favorites France on Tuesday for a place in the final.
Spain started like Spain always do: patient, pretty, and probing.
28th minute: the breakthrough. A slick passing move ended with Fabian Ruiz finishing coolly. 1-0. Vintage La Roja.
But for the first time at this World Cup, Spain were breached.
41st minute: Belgium hit back. Timothy Castagne whipped in a teasing cross and makeshift No. 9 Charles De Ketelaere rose to head past Unai Simon. 1-1.
The game was level, tense, and heading for extra time.
Then the goalkeepers changed. Thibaut Courtois was forced off injured for Belgium, and stand in Senne Lammens came on.
It would prove costly.
Luis de la Fuente turned to his bench. One came Mikel Merino in the 88th minute.
117 seconds later: Spain win the ball in Belgium's half. A cross comes in. Lammens comes for it, hesitates, and spills. Merino is there. One touch to control. Second touch to bury it. 2-1.
The stadium erupted. Merino didn't even have time to break a sweat.
It felt eerily familiar. He did the exact same thing vs Portugal in the last round a late winner of the bench.
Coincidence exists, Merino said with a smile after
"If you go in prepared, it can happen. If you're ready and you try, it can happen for you. Two matches to win a World Cup is a dream come true."
For club and country, Merino continues to be the man for solutions in big moments.
The moment was excruciating for Lammens.
Thrown in cold after Courtois injury, he has no time to settle. He mistake on the cross gifted Spain the winner and ended Belgium's World Cup.
Belgium had actually been brave. De Ketelaere's goal gave then hope. They defended well for 80+ minutes. But one lapse, one error, and it was over.
That knockout football.
Key Stats: Spain 2-1 Belgium
● Possession: Spain 68% - 32% Belgium
● shots: Spain 18 - 7 Belgium
● Goals: Fabian Ruiz 28', Merino 90' | De Ketelaere 41'
● Dribbles: Lamine Yamal 4 successful
● Line breaking passes: Rodri 9 - now has 62 in the tournament
Analysis: Spain's Titans Show Up At The Right Time
This was as close to vintage Spain as we've seen in 2026.
1. Lemine Yamal was electric
All the pre tournament hype was about him, and he delivered. 6 shots, 4 successful dribbles, and he was the hub of every attack. Artistry and industry in one 17 year old.
2. Rodri is running this team
The Spain captain is the centrepiece. He's unbothered by responsibility he's emboldened by it.
His 62 line breaking passes in the final third at this tournament now equals Toni Kroos record from 2014. And he's not done yet.
3. The Super Sub Mentality
Merino has now won 2 games off the bench in 2 knockout rounds. That's not luck. That's preparation. That's mentality. De la Fuente has now gone 13 major tournament games without defeat more than any other international manager.
And the biggest stat: Spain are unbeatable in 36 matches since March 2023.
What Next: Spain vs France
This is the semi final everyone wanted.
Spain vs France. Tuesday. Texas.
It's technician vs athlete. Possession vs power De la Fuente vs Deschamps.
France are the tournament favourites. But Spain arrive with momentum, belief, and a squad full of players who know how to win ugly and win pretty.
If Merino can do it again off the bench, Spain will be 90 minutes from a World Cup final.
For now through, Spain march on. And once again, it took a late hero to get them there.
0 Comments