2026 WC: Merino sends Spain into World Cup semi-finals at expense of Belgium
Mikel Merino fired Spain to victory with his late winner sinking brave Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarter-final battle in Los Angeles. He walloped the ball into the net on 88 minutes after goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a long-range strike by Pau Cubarsi. Lammens had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois on 71 minutes.
The European champions were deserving winners, but Charles De Ketelaere headed the equalizer on 41 minutes to cancel out Fabian Ruiz's opener on the half-hour mark. Belgium were hampered by injuries, with Amadou Onana ruled out, Youri Tielemans withdrawn before kick-off, Courtois forced off, and captain Kevin De Bruyne replaced due to cramp. Fabian Ruiz had pounced for the opener after Courtois could not hold a Dani Olmo effort. Spain extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches and will face France in Dallas on Tuesday.
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Spain and Belgium faced off in a World Cup quarter-final match in Los Angeles. The European champions were made to work for their triumph against a
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