Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for the second straight knockout match as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday to book a semifinal spot against France on Tuesday.
Merino entered the game in the 86th minute and needed only one touch before scoring his second. He pounced on a save that Belgium backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled after Pau Cubarsi struck from long range. The substitute had also scored the winning goal against Portugal in the round of 16.
Spain took the lead just after the first-half hydration break. Lamine Yamal set up Pedro Porro down the right flank, and Porro crossed for Dani Olmo. Thibaut Courtois saved Olmo’s shot, but the ball fell to Fabián Ruiz, who tapped it in from close range. Luis de la Fuente had started Ruiz ahead of Pedri, and the change paid off immediately.
Belgium equalized before the break through Charles De Ketelaere, who headed in a cross from Timothy Castagne to beat goalkeeper Unai Simón. The goal ended Spain’s 650-minute scoreless run at the World Cup, a streak that dated back to 2022, when Ao Tanaka scored against them in the group stage in Qatar.
Belgium lost captain Youri Tielemans to injury before kickoff, and he missed the match entirely. Courtois then went down in the 71st minute after a clearance, received treatment on the field, and looked ready to continue before Belgium substituted him for Lammens. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia later confirmed Courtois had suffered a muscle injury.
Spain controlled most of the second half, though Belgium created chances of their own as Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne combined dangerously at times.
With the win, Spain extended their unbeaten run to 36 games, one short of Italy’s all-time record of 37, and advanced to the World Cup semifinals for only the second time in the nation’s history.
Yamal made his sixth appearance of the tournament, the most by any player age 18 or under in World Cup history.
Spain will face France in the semifinal on Tuesday.
