Merino Strikes Again as Spain Beat Belgium to Set Up France Semi-Final

Spain beat Belgium 2–1 at Los Angeles Stadium to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since winning the 2010 title. Surprise starter Fabián Ruiz pounced on Thibaut Courtois's parry from Dani Olmo's shot on 30 minutes, but Charles De Ketelaere headed Timothy Castagne's cross on 41 minutes to end La Roja's tournament-long clean sheet and level at half-time.

Spain dominated after the break with 68% possession, 17 shots and eight on target to Belgium's five and two, though Courtois's injury exit on 71 minutes for Senne Lammens kept the tie level until Mikel Merino — introduced in the 86th minute — lashed home after Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsí's drive. Pau Cubarsí, Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte and Axel Witsel were booked as Merino became the first Spain player to score two winning goals in the 80th minute or later at a World Cup.

Spain advance to face France in Dallas on Tuesday — a rematch of the 2018 round of 16 that Les Bleus won en route to the title. Belgium bow out in the quarter-finals for the third time in four World Cups despite De Ketelaere's third goal of the tournament, with Rudi Garcia's side unable to repeat their famous 1986 penalty shoot-out win over La Roja in the same city.