INGLEWOOD, California — Substitute Mikel Merino delivered another clutch late goal for Spain on Friday, capitalizing on a fumble by Belgium’s backup goalkeeper to secure a 2-1 quarterfinal victory and set up a World Cup semifinal showdown with France.
The match was deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the second half, but Belgium’s fortunes took a turn when starting keeper Thibaut Courtois left the field injured. His replacement, Senne Lammens, couldn’t hold onto a low shot from Pau Cubarsi, and the ball bounced right to Merino, who buried it in front of a packed, largely pro-Spain crowd on a scorching afternoon at Los Angeles Stadium.
“There are no such things as coincidences,” Merino said after the match. “If you go into a match well-prepared, things tend to happen again.”
It was a familiar script for Merino, who had also come off the bench to score the decisive goal in Spain’s 1-0 round-of-16 win over Portugal. He entered Friday’s contest in the 86th minute and netted just two minutes later, making him the first player in World Cup history to score the winning goal in two separate knockout-stage matches as a substitute.
“We are two matches away from winning the World Cup and that is what we are going after,” Merino added.
The last time Spain reached the World Cup semifinals was in 2010 — the year they lifted the trophy. Now, as European champions, they’ll face tournament favorites France in Dallas on Tuesday for a spot in the final.
“We’re going to work hard to try and beat France,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “They’ll be just as worried as we are.”
Spain came out aggressive from the opening whistle. Fabian Ruiz gave them the lead around the 30-minute mark, firing a shot through defender Timothy Castagne’s legs and into the net after Courtois made a superb diving save. The goal validated De la Fuente’s surprising choice to start the Paris St Germain midfielder over Pedri, who came on for Ruiz early in the second half.
Belgium pulled level 11 minutes later when Charles De Ketelaere timed his run perfectly to head a Castagne cross past Spanish keeper Unai Simon — the first goal Spain had given up in the entire tournament. The equalizer reinvigorated Belgium as both sides battled through the intense heat to halftime.
Spain came out of the locker room with renewed energy, dominating possession and pressing the Belgian defense. Eighteen-year-old Lamine Yamal was a constant danger throughout the match. Spain ultimately outshot Belgium 17 to 5, and the late winner felt like only a matter of time.
Belgium entered the match already shorthanded. Captain Youri Tielemans picked up an injury during warmups and was pulled from the starting lineup, with Hans Vanaken stepping in. Midfielder Amadou Onana was also absent, having torn his ACL in Belgium’s round-of-16 win over the United States.
But the loss of Courtois proved to be the turning point. The 34-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper, regarded as one of the best in the world, made four outstanding saves before reporting muscle pain in his leg on long kicks in the second half. Coach Rudi Garcia made the call to substitute him, and Courtois left the field in tears.
“I wanted to continue but, yeah, the coach wanted someone 100%, so okay, that’s his decision … and that’s not a problem,” Courtois said afterward.
With Courtois watching helplessly from the sideline, Lammens was unable to make the routine stop that would have kept Belgium alive. Courtois was quick to console his teammate.
“Senne, obviously, I gave him a big hug,” Courtois said. “Not much more I can do at the moment. I know, for goalkeepers, this is a shit feeling, and he’s a great goalkeeper, and he will only get stronger from this.”
Belgium veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku pushed for a late equalizer but couldn’t break through Spain’s defense.
The 70,492 fans in attendance at the sun-drenched Los Angeles Stadium included musicians Courtney Love and Noel Gallagher, American actor Brad Pitt, and Spanish actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
Friday’s quarterfinal was the eighth and final World Cup match held at the $5 billion venue, known outside the tournament as SoFi Stadium and home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers.
