Spain has left it late to book a deadline with France | World Cup 2026 news

Mikel Merino came off the bench to break Belgian hearts after coming down from keeper Senne Lammens.

Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute from a shot that deflected off Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory.

Merino was the late hero for the second straight game for Spain, who advanced to meet favorites France in Tuesday’s semifinals in Dallas.

Merino came on in the 86th minute to score his second of the game, breaking into the box and diving past Lammens after Pau Cubarsi’s shot from outside the area.

The Arsenal striker also scored as a substitute in injury time to help Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the final.

Lammens, a Manchester United player, was forced into the game in the 71st minute after former Belgium international Thibaut Courtois suffered a thigh injury.

Belgium pushed hard for an equalizer in the closing minutes, but Aymeric Laporte produced their best chance from the box.

Fabian Ruiz scored the opening goal in the 30th minute for Spain after Courtois fired Dani Olmo from Pedro Porro’s left to the right of the area, but Belgium striker Charles De Ketelaere scored Spain’s first goal conceded in the entire World Cup in the 41st minute.

His header from Timothy Castagne’s cross from the right ended a record 649 minutes without conceding at the World Cup.