World Cup Recap: Merino Magic Strikes Again as Spain Edge Belgium

Spain survived a stern Belgian test to reach their first World Cup semi-final since 2010, with super-sub Mikel Merino repeating his late heroics to seal a 2-1 quarter-final win. Fabián Ruiz fired La Roja ahead before Charles De Ketelaere's header levelled things before the break. After Thibaut Courtois departed injured, replacement keeper Senne Lammens spilled a late shot and Merino pounced — his second decisive goal in as many knockout games. Belgium's golden generation fell short once more, while Spain march on to face France.
Spain 2-1 Belgium
Lamine Yamal fired an early warning shot as Spain gradually took control despite Belgium's brave high press. The breakthrough came on 30 minutes — a sharp one-two between Yamal and Pedro Porro freed Dani Olmo, whose effort Thibaut Courtois parried straight to Fabián Ruiz to slam home via a deflection. Belgium responded brilliantly: Timothy Castagne's right-wing cross was met by Charles De Ketelaere with a superb glancing header past Pau Cubarsi on 41 minutes. Pau Cubarsi was booked for pulling De Bruyne's shorts, while a Rodri handball went unpunished to Belgian fury. The second half turned cruel when Courtois — on his 21st World Cup appearance — departed in tears with a thigh injury, replaced by Manchester United's Senne Lammens. Belgium sent on Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel, and Joaquin Seys; Spain introduced Nico Williams and Mikel Merino — the last-16 hero against Portugal. With extra time looming, Pau Cubarsi unleashed a 25-yard strike that Lammens couldn't hold. Merino, with that uncanny positional sense, rifled the rebound into the roof of the net on 88 minutes. Aymeric Laporte and Witsel received late yellows, and Unai Simon survived a nervy collision with Lukaku in stoppage time. 
 
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