He did it AGAIN! Spain beat Belgium with a Merino goal and reach semis | OneFootball

The first semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set.

France will face Spain next Tuesday (14). 

In front of 70,462 fans at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, La Roja defeated Belgium 2-1 this Friday (10). 

They continue their best World Cup campaign since winning the title in 2010. 

There was a mistake by Courtois' substitute, who was injured during the match, and another goal from the predestined Mikel Merino. 

Spain have now gone 36 matches without tasting defeat. Only Italy (37 games between 2018 and 2021) had a longer streak. 

Check out the highlights below. 

Yamal steps up and Belgium respond

Luis de la Fuente opted for Fabián Ruiz in place of Pedri.

Spain had more possession and attacking volume. What they lacked was real danger.

Then Pedro Porro combined with Lamine Yamal and saw Dani Olmo denied by Courtois. But Fabián Ruiz pounced on the rebound (30').

It was also Yamal who forced Courtois into a fine save from a free-kick and later nearly doubled the lead with an individual effort.

Belgium, who had not yet found their rhythm, did not take long to respond.

All it took was a little more space for De Bruyne to create, Castagne to send the ball into the box, and De Ketelaere — after twice moving out of an offside position — to finish (41').

It was the first goal conceded by Spain at the World Cup. And the end of record-holder Unai Simón's 649-minute streak without conceding — dating back to the round of 16 in Qatar. 

Crucial mistake and lethal Merino

Both coaches went to work in the second half amid an uncertain situation on the pitch.

Belgium had already lost Tielemans to injury minutes before the match and then saw Courtois — their standout performer until then — unable to continue in the 71st minute.

Spain were the better side. But they still could not break down a Belgium team trying to strike on the counter.

And the goalkeeper switch would be remembered in the 88th minute.

Cubarsí struck from outside the box, Lammens failed to hold on, and the alert Merino — who had come on two minutes earlier — tapped in.

It was the second straight game in which he made the difference. 

Belgium did not give up, but despite Unai Simón adding some late drama, Spain booked their place in the semifinals. 

What now? 📅

Spain and France will face off next Tuesday (14) at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

With a place in the final on the line.

Where they will face Norway, England, Argentina or Switzerland.

The other semifinal will be decided this Saturday (11). 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 VALERIE MACON - AFP or licensors