Spain manager Luis de la Fuente continues to rely on Mikel Merino from the bench, and the Arsenal midfielder is delivering when it counts. For the second consecutive World Cup knockout match, Merino secured victory with his left boot. Following his decisive goal against Portugal in Dallas, he capitalized on a goalkeeping error in the California sunshine. By smashing the ball into the net with just two minutes remaining, he propelled his country into a highly anticipated semi-final clash against France this Tuesday.

It was a heartbreaking conclusion for a determined Belgium side. The momentum shifted decisively 20 minutes from time when Thibaut Courtois, widely regarded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, left the pitch in tears after suffering a thigh injury. His replacement, Manchester United’s Senne Lammens, struggled under pressure. A costly error—specifically, an inability to secure a long-range effort from Pau Cubarsi—led to the ball spilling into Merino’s path, a moment that will haunt Belgium’s World Cup campaign.

European champions Spain now move forward. Although the victory was not entirely convincing and Belgium created several promising opportunities in the second half, the Spanish side edges closer to a second world title, nearly 16 years after their 2010 triumph in South Africa. They are now set to face Kylian Mbappe and the French attack at the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium in four days’ time.

Spain’s impressive run now extends to 36 consecutive unbeaten matches in competitive fixtures. While their streak of 650 World Cup minutes without conceding a goal ended in this match, their path to the trophy remains clear. Despite a precarious period during the game, the team celebrated with their supporters—who made up the majority of the 70,000 fans in Los Angeles—as they secured their place in the final four.

These two teams had not met in a decade. Spain held an 11-game unbeaten streak against their European rivals, dating back to a penalty shootout loss in the 1984 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico. With the match kicking off at midday in the heat of Inglewood, many wondered if history might repeat itself.

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia brought Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne back into the starting lineup following their absence in the win over the USA. However, the team suffered a setback just 12 minutes before kickoff when captain Youri Tielemans sustained a hamstring injury during the warmup.

Belgium held their own during a high-intensity opening. Doku proved a constant threat on the counter-attack, while Lamine Yamal fired a shot wide for Spain 20 minutes in. However, Spain capitalized on a defensive lapse from Belgium at the half-hour mark. Pedro Porro combined with Yamal to set up Dani Olmo, whose shot was parried by Courtois directly to Fabian Ruiz. The midfielder tapped the ball into the net to give Spain the lead.

Yamal continued to dazzle, testing Courtois with a free-kick, but Spain conceded for the first time in 650 minutes just before halftime. Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated the attack, delivering a precise pass to Timothy Castagne, whose cross allowed Charles De Ketelaere to glance a header past Unai Simon.

The second half remained evenly contested. De Cuyper narrowly missed for Belgium, while Yamal swept a shot just wide. Luis de la Fuente responded by introducing Ferran Torres and Pedri in the 55th minute to bolster the attack. As Romelu Lukaku entered the fray, Belgium remained dangerous on the break, though a penalty shout for a handball against Rodri went unrewarded.

The match turned when Courtois exited with his injury, paving the way for Lammens to take the field. A fatigued De Bruyne nearly capitalized on an error by goalkeeper Unai Simon from 40 yards out, but Rodri blocked the shot. As extra time appeared inevitable, Belgium retreated defensively. This allowed Cubarsi to launch an unchallenged strike on goal, which Lammens spilled. Merino was once again in the right place to hammer home the winner, securing Spain’s spot in the semi-finals.