Mikel Merino's stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic 2-1 World Cup quarter-final victory for Spain over Belgium in Los Angeles, sending La Roja into a semifinal with France. Charles De Ketelaere had cancelled Fabian Ruiz's opener before a second-half injury to Thibaut Courtois forced on a substitute, whose costly spill allowed Merino to clinch the win in the dying moments.
Match overview: Spain 2–1 Belgium — quarter-final, World Cup
Spain reached their first World Cup semi-final since 2010 after a nervy, tension-filled win over Belgium at SoFi Stadium. Fabian Ruiz put La Roja ahead in the first half, Charles De Ketelaere nodded Belgium level shortly before the break, and substitute Mikel Merino produced a late winner following a goalkeeping error by Senne Lammens after Thibaut Courtois exited injured.
Key moments
Spain’s previously pristine defence — Unai Simón had gone roughly 650 World Cup minutes without conceding — finally conceded when De Ketelaere beat teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsi to head home. Courtois’ thigh problem forced his withdrawal midway through the second half; Senne Lammens replaced him but spilled a Cubarsi effort late, allowing Merino to apply the finish and send Spain through.
Tactical snapshot
Spain again imposed a possession-heavy, suffocating pattern under Luis de la Fuente, starving Belgium of consistent chances and continuing a tournament-long defensive discipline that had allowed just five shots on target before this fixture. Belgium, shorn of Youri Tielemans before kick-off and already missing Amadou Onana, leaned on moments of individual quality — notably Charles De Ketelaere and Kevin De Bruyne — to carve openings against a dominant Spanish press.
Player performances and turning points
Unai Simón The long clean-sheet run ended but Simón remained composed across most phases; Spain’s defensive record to this point reflected team shape more than individual heroics.
Thibaut Courtois and Senne Lammens Courtois’ injury was a pivotal, destabilising blow for Belgium. His replacement, 20-year-old Senne Lammens, was thrust into a crushing scenario and was unfortunate to spill a routine effort — a moment that decided the match and leaves Belgium with clear goalkeeping questions.
Mikel Merino Merino has established himself as a late-game specialist, and his composure to finish in stoppage time reinforced his value as a clutch substitute. His winner continues a pattern of decisive contributions in knockout football.
Charles De Ketelaere De Ketelaere’s header demonstrated Belgium’s threat on the counter and set the game alight before halftime, proving the visitors could punish even the most patient possession sides.
What this result means
Spain Advancing to a World Cup semi-final restores ambitions of a deep tournament run and revives memories of 2010. The win underlines Spain’s tactical identity — dominance through possession and suffocation of opponents — but also exposes a vulnerability: against direct counters and aerial threats they can be breached.
Belgium The loss compounds Belgium’s injury woes and highlights thin margins in knockout football. The late goal and Courtois’ injury will be scrutinised by a squad already navigating personnel setbacks; Belgium exit with a sense that small moments, and a fragile goalkeeper situation, swung the tie.
Looking ahead: Spain v France and Belgium’s aftermath
Spain now face France in a mouthwatering semifinal that will pit Spain’s patient possession game against France’s counter-attacking dynamism and individual brilliance. Tactical discipline and set-piece defence will be decisive; Spain must translate ball dominance into clearer, earlier openings to avoid reliance on late drama.
For Belgium, the immediate focus is recovery and assessment. Courtois’ condition requires monitoring and could influence the veteran goalkeeper’s international future. The squad must also address depth in goal and adapt its midfield structure after the absence of key players.
Bottom line
Spain advance thanks to late ruthlessness and the kind of small-margin drama that defines World Cup knockout football.
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The result is a reminder that possession without cutting edge can be vulnerable, and that tournaments are often decided by single, decisive incidents — a header, an injury, or a spilled save.
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