European champions Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face tournament favourites France in a blockbuster last-four encounter.
The quarter-final at SoFi Stadium was decided in dramatic fashion as substitute Mikel Merino struck late to seal Spain’s passage and set up a highly anticipated showdown with Kylian Mbappé and France in Dallas on Tuesday.
The result proved particularly cruel for Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was introduced late in the match and endured a difficult World Cup debut after spilling a shot that led to the winning goal.
Spain had taken the lead through Fabian Ruiz before Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere levelled against the run of play shortly before half-time.
Belgium entered the contest boosted by the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku to the starting line-up but suffered a major setback before kick-off when captain Youri Tielemans sustained a hamstring injury during the warm-up. Combined with the absence of Amadou Onana, who is sidelined with a ruptured ACL, the Red Devils were forced to field a depleted midfield against Spain’s possession-based side.
Ruiz, drafted into the starting line-up in place of Pedri, quickly imposed himself alongside Rodri in midfield, while Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal threatened early, curling a shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Belgium, however, showed flashes of danger through Doku, whose incisive runs from the left flank troubled the Spanish defence. The winger combined effectively with De Ketelaere, who arrived in confident form after scoring twice against the United States in the previous round.
Spain eventually made their dominance count on the half-hour mark. Pedro Porro exchanged passes with Yamal before cutting the ball back to Dani Olmo. Although Thibaut Courtois parried Olmo’s effort, Ruiz reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.
The goal intensified Spain’s control as they dictated possession and pinned Belgium deep inside their own half.
Despite being outplayed for long periods, Belgium remained composed and found an equaliser in the 41st minute. De Bruyne released Timothy Castagne on the right, and his cross was met by De Ketelaere, who timed his run perfectly before outmuscling Pau Cubarsí to head past Unai Simón.
The strike ended Spain’s run without conceding a goal at the tournament.
Belgium nearly took the lead before the interval when a swift counterattack found Doku in space, but Olmo produced a crucial interception to preserve parity.
Spain resumed control after the break, with Yamal increasingly influential. The teenage winger nearly created a goal for Mikel Oyarzabal, whose effort was denied by a timely intervention from Courtois.
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia introduced veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who had scored off the bench in each of his previous three appearances, as the match became more open.
A Belgian appeal for handball after a cross struck Rodri’s arm was waved away, while Oyarzabal tested Courtois from a tight angle.
Belgium’s hopes suffered another blow in the 70th minute when Courtois was forced off injured. He was replaced by Lammens, the 24-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper making his World Cup debut under immense pressure.
The decisive moment arrived two minutes from time. Cubarsí’s low drive from distance appeared straightforward for Lammens, but the goalkeeper failed to gather the ball cleanly. Merino reacted first to the loose ball and smashed home from close range to hand Spain the winner.
It was the Arsenal midfielder’s second successive decisive contribution from the bench, having also scored the late winner against Portugal in the previous round.
Belgium almost rescued the game in the closing moments when Alexis Saelemaekers rounded Unai Simón but was unable to pick out Lukaku in front of an open goal.
At the final whistle, Courtois emerged to console a distraught Lammens as several members of Belgium’s ageing “Golden Generation” stood stunned by the narrow defeat.
For Spain, however, the celebrations were brief as attention quickly turned to a mouth-watering semi-final showdown against France.
