Merino Magic Sends Spain Past Belgium 2-1

Spain left it late but broke Belgian hearts with a 2-1 victory in their World Cup quarter-final, Mikel Merino rising highest in the 88th minute to send La Roja into the semis. The Estadio Al Bayt erupted as the midfielder powered home the winner after Charles De Ketelaere had cancelled out Fabián Ruiz’s first-half opener in a match where possession dominance (68%) finally told for Spain after Belgian resistance crumbled late.

Spain’s Control Meets Belgian Grit

For half an hour, Spain’s metronomic passing (90% accuracy) probed without penetration until Ruiz broke the deadlock on 30 minutes, latching onto a loose ball after sustained pressure. The Napoli midfielder’s crisp strike from the edge of the box beat Thibaut Courtois low to his left – Spain’s seventh shot on target already.

But Belgium, who’d barely ventured forward, struck against the run of play before half-time. Timothy Castagne’s cross found De Ketelaere ghosting between defenders to head past Unai Simón (41′). The game turned scrappy as Pau Cubarsí saw yellow (43′) for a tactical foul on Kevin De Bruyne, who himself would be booked (85′) in a frustrating evening marked by Spain’s Rodri shadowing his every move.

Substitutions Shift the Tide

Both managers rolled the dice on 55 minutes – Luis de la Fuente introducing Álex Baena and Pedri, while Rudi Garcia’s triple change (60′) saw Romelu Lukaku make way for Hans Vanaken. Spain’s control grew as Belgium’s midfield tired, their 32% possession forcing deeper defending.

The decisive moment came from an unlikely source. Substitute Merino, on for just two minutes, met Dani Olmo’s cross with a thunderous header that left replacement keeper Senne Lammens no chance. Belgium’s late push saw Axel Witsel booked (90+5′), but Spain’s 16 shots to 5 told the story of their deserved progression.

What This Means

For Spain, it’s a first World Cup semi-final since 2010, their young core proving they can grind when tiki-taka isn’t enough. Belgium’s golden generation exits another tournament heartbroken – Courtois’ early substitution (71′) symbolic of a fading era. La Roja march on with momentum; the Red Devils face another rebuild.