​The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute, when substitute Mikel Merino finished from close range after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to secure the ball. That late strike delivered a crucial victory for Spain, propelling them into the semi-finals and setting up a high-stakes clash with France on Tuesday. The result keeps alive Spain’s hopes of capturing another World Cup title, underscoring their ability to grind out wins when it matters most.
Earlier in the match, Belgium managed to pull level, briefly tilting the balance back in their favor. Yet Spain answered with sustained pressure as the game entered its final stages, repeatedly pinning the Belgian defense and threatening to tilt the result back in their direction. Merino’s presence on the bench continued to prove decisive for Spain, as he again delivered when his team needed him most—an anthem of resilience and timely execution that echoed his earlier heroics in the round of 16 against Portugal, where his late winner sealed advancement.
In the aftermath of the match, Belgian supporters offered respectful applause for their team in Brussels, even as they acknowledged that conceding a late goal to Merino altered the course of the contest. Many fans and analysts pointed to the injury to Belgium’s first-choice goalkeeper as a pivotal factor, suggesting that Lammens’ miscue in the closing minutes magnified the impact of Merino’s finishing touch. The diagnosis and absence of the injured shot-stopper left a noticeable void in Belgium’s back line, contributing to Spain’s ability to finish with authority in the late stages.
Spain now heads into the semi-final with fresh momentum, riding a wave of knockout-stage momentum that has been shaped by two successive late interventions from Merino. His decisive role off the bench has become a recurring theme for Spain in this tournament, reinforcing the depth and tactical flexibility of Luis Enrique’s squad. The Spanish side has demonstrated a persistent ability to absorb pressure from opponents and strike decisively when opportunities arise, a combination that has carried them through the knockout rounds.
As Spain prepares for the semi-final showdown with France, the team’s path to victory has been characterized by a blend of disciplined defense and inventive attacking play. The late goals and the strategic use of substitutes have highlighted Spain’s depth and resilience, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in this World Cup campaign. The match’s closing moments, featuring Merino’s close-range finish, will be remembered as a turning point that underscored Spain’s capacity to seize control when it matters most and to convert pressure into a decisive result.
Looking ahead, Spain is positioned to capitalize on the confidence gained from back-to-back knockout wins, with Merino’s contributions serving as a defining subplot of their tournament narrative. If Spain can maintain the same level of intensity and clinical finishing, they will be well-placed to challenge France and push further toward the ultimate prize. The victory in Brussels not only preserves Spain’s hopes but also reinforces the broader storyline of a squad capable of rising to the occasion on the world stage, even in the face of adversity and high-pressure moments.