A Familiar Hero Appears Again
Mikel Merino delivered another extraordinary late intervention for Spain, turning a tense semi-final against Belgium into another chapter in his growing reputation as the ultimate big-game substitute. With the match level at 1-1 and time almost gone, he entered from the bench and needed less than two minutes to decide it.
Another Late Goal, Another Spain Celebration
Merino had already built a remarkable habit of arriving at decisive moments. Two years ago, he scored the late goals that helped send Spain into a European championship semi-final. Four days earlier, he struck again to push Spain into a World Cup quarter-final. Against Belgium, he repeated the act on an even larger stage.
A Personal Moment for Merino
This time, the scene carried extra meaning. His two-month-old son Marco, whom Merino has barely been able to see, was in the stadium. After the match, the midfielder said: “As he wasn’t there for the quarter-finals, I had to do it in the semi-final too so he could experience it as well.”
Less Than Two Minutes to Change the Match
Luis de la Fuente sent Merino on with the clock showing 85.32. At 87.27, Pau Cubarsí struck from distance, Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold the shot, and Merino reacted faster than anyone else. He drove the rebound into the net to put Spain 2-1 ahead in the 88th minute.
The Supersub Adds to His Legend
Merino’s latest winner now sits beside his 119th-minute goal against Germany and his 91st-minute strike against Portugal. Each one has come when Spain needed him most. Once again, he ran to the corner flag in the celebration he performs in honour of his father, Angel.
Belgium Left to Wonder What Might Have Been
For Belgium, the ending was painful. Thibaut Courtois had already been forced off injured and could only watch from the bench as Lammens spilled the shot that led to the winning goal. Belgium had resisted for long spells, but Spain’s pressure finally told.
De la Fuente’s Decisions Pay Off
Spain’s coach could feel justified by the way the match unfolded. His first major midfield choice was to bring in Fabián Ruiz in place of Pedri, and that decision quickly brought results. His final major midfield call, sending on Merino, produced the winner.
Fabián Ruiz Gives Spain Control
Ruiz was involved early, setting up Rodri for Spain’s first major chance after 10 minutes. Twenty minutes later, he scored the opening goal. Lamine Yamal released Pedro Porro with a perfectly weighted pass, Porro cut the ball back for Dani Olmo, and although Courtois stopped the first-time shot, Ruiz followed in to finish from the rebound.
Spain Look Comfortable Early On
For much of the first half, Spain appeared in control. Cubarsí nearly sent Álex Baena through with a fine pass. A slick one-touch sequence broke down only when Mikel Oyarzabal tried to back-heel the ball into Olmo’s path. Lamine Yamal also escaped Jérémy Doku with a superb touch before firing into the side-netting.
Belgium Strike Before Half-Time
Just when Spain seemed to have the match under control, Belgium found a way back. At 40 minutes and 12 seconds, Spain conceded their first goal of the World Cup. Charles De Ketelaere headed in after a move that began with Doku’s acceleration and was shaped by Kevin De Bruyne’s quick first-time pass.
De Bruyne Creates the Equaliser
De Bruyne’s pass gave Timothy Castagne the space to deliver a precise cross. De Ketelaere moved ahead of Cubarsí and headed past Spain’s goalkeeper, bringing Belgium level and changing the tone of the match before the interval.
Spain Push Again After the Break
The second half began with another excellent Cubarsí pass, this time releasing Lamine Yamal. Courtois saved, although the flag was raised. Spain kept pressing, with Yamal sending a low shot wide before Courtois denied both the teenager’s curling effort and Oyarzabal.
Belgium Carry a Real Threat
Belgium still had dangerous moments. Doku and De Bruyne combined again to create a clear chance for Maxim De Cuyper, who struck powerfully into the side-netting. That warning reminded Spain that their dominance had not removed the risk of another Belgian goal.
Merino Turns Pressure Into Destiny
Spain kept searching, Belgium kept holding on, and then Merino changed everything. His speed of reaction, calm finish and extraordinary pattern of late goals gave Spain another dramatic victory. After two consecutive wins shaped by last-gasp interventions, Spain may feel that something larger is building around them.
