World Cup 2026: Merino's late winner sends Spain past Belgium and into semi-finals
Spain booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals on Friday after Mikel Merino struck a dramatic late winner at the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Belgium.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Spain edged past a resilient Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles to secure its spot in the last 8. La Roja dominated much of the contest and finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.
Imagine you're playing soccer in a big tournament. Spain and Belgium are playing against each other, and it's a very close game. Spain scores first, but Belgium gets an equalizer. Then, just when it seems like the game is going to end in a tie, Spain's Mikel Merino scores a goal in the last minute of the game, winning the match for Spain!
Analysis
A Dramatic Finish to a Thrilling Match
Spain's Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner at the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Belgium, sending La Roja into the World Cup semi-finals. The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating scoring opportunities throughout. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the 30th minute, but Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere restored parity in the 41st minute. The second half remained open, with both goalkeepers producing crucial saves. Courtois then suffered an injury that forced him off in the 71st minute, with Senne Lammens replacing him. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when Lammens initially saved Pau Cubarsí's long-range effort, but substitute Mikel Merino reacted quickest to the loose ball, calmly slotting home the rebound to send Spain into the semi-finals.
A Strong Performance from Spain
La Roja dominated much of the contest, creating several scoring opportunities throughout. They finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, with Fabian Ruiz reacting quickest to the rebound to fire into the middle of the net. Belgium weathered sustained Spanish pressure before Charles De Ketelaere headed home Timothy Castagne's cross in the 41st minute, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1. The second half remained open, with both goalkeepers producing crucial saves.
What's Next for Spain
La Roja will take on France on Tuesday in the semi-finals. This match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to secure a spot in the World Cup final.
Key points
- Spain booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Belgium.
- Mikel Merino scored a dramatic late winner at the 88th minute to secure the victory.
- La Roja dominated much of the contest, creating several scoring opportunities throughout.
- Belgium weathered sustained Spanish pressure before Charles De Ketelaere headed home Timothy Castagne's cross in the 41st minute.
- La Roja will take on France on Tuesday in the semi-finals.
Spain's victory sets up an exciting match against France on Tuesday, and La Roja will be looking to secure a spot in the World Cup final. If they can maintain their momentum, they could be a strong contender for the championship.
However, Spain's victory also comes with some risks. If they become too complacent, they may struggle to maintain their form against a strong French team. Additionally, the injury to Courtois could be a concern for Belgium, and they may need to regroup and refocus for their next match.
