**Spain Leave It Late to Book Semifinal Date with France**
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the World Cup, Spain secured their place in the semifinals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium on July 10, 2026. The match, held in Dallas, saw Mikel Merino emerge as the late hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
Merino, who was substituted into the game just two minutes prior to his goal, made an immediate impact. He capitalized on a rebound from Belgium's backup goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, who was thrust into action after starting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off the field due to a thigh injury in the 71st minute. Lammens was unable to hold onto a shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Merino to pounce and secure Spain's advancement to the next round.
Spain opened the scoring in the match with a goal from Fabian Ruiz in the 30th minute. Ruiz found the net after Courtois parried a shot from Dani Olmo, following a well-placed cut-back from Pedro Porro. However, Belgium responded just before halftime with a goal from Charles De Ketelaere, who headed in from a cross by Timothy Castagne. This goal marked a significant moment in the tournament, as it ended Spain's remarkable streak of 649 minutes without conceding a goal, a record for the World Cup.
Despite Belgium's efforts to equalize in the closing minutes, including a strong push for a second goal, Spain's defense held firm. Aymeric Laporte notably cleared a dangerous opportunity, ensuring that Spain would hold onto their lead until the final whistle.
With this victory, Spain now prepares to face tournament favorites France in the semifinals, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting clash. Merino's late-game heroics have become a defining feature of Spain's campaign, as he also scored the winning goal in their previous match against Portugal, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.
As Spain looks ahead to the semifinal, they will aim to build on their momentum and continue their pursuit of World Cup glory. Meanwhile, Belgium will reflect on a tournament that saw them battle hard but ultimately fall short against a resilient Spanish side.