Substitute Mikel Merino once again proved to be Spain’s match winner as his late goal secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium and sent the European champions into the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
The Arsenal midfielder came off the bench for the second consecutive match to score the decisive goal, continuing his remarkable impact in Spain’s campaign after also netting the winner against Portugal in the round of 16.
The victory sees Spain reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time in their history. On the previous occasion, in 2010, La Roja went on to win the tournament.
Spain will now face France in a highly anticipated semi-final, with the encounter expected to feature a headline showdown between France captain Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who is still searching for his first major breakthrough performance at this year’s tournament.
Merino’s resurgence has been one of the stories of Spain’s campaign. Earlier this year, the midfielder suffered a rare stress fracture in his foot that sidelined him for several months and cast serious doubt over his World Cup hopes.
The injury kept him out of action for Arsenal until just a month before the tournament began, but he recovered in time to earn a place in Spain’s squad and has since emerged as one of the team’s most influential players.
Against Belgium, the winning goal came after goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois midway through the second half, failed to hold an 88th-minute shot, allowing Merino to pounce on the rebound and seal Spain’s place in the last four.
The result ended Belgium’s World Cup campaign and paved the way for a mouthwatering semi-final between two of the tournament’s favourites as Spain continue their pursuit of a second World Cup title.
