Spain secured their FIFA World Cup semi-finals berth with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Belgium with Mikel Merino grabbing a late winner to settle an absorbing contest which challenged Luis de la Fuente’s tactics in a manner few teams have managed in this tournament.
Belgium got off to a bright start, looking to exploit Spain’s right flank immediately with Jérémy Doku giving Pedro Porro plenty of problems in one-on-one situations in the early exchanges. The Red Devils pressed aggressively in the first 15 minutes before settling into a disciplined mid-block, looking to hurt Spain on the counter.
Belgium got off to a good start but Spain took control of the game and slowly, and eventually broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro combined well to create space against the Belgian defence, and Porro’s cutback found Dani Olmo. Thibaut Courtois made a great save against Olmo but the ball bounced perfectly for Fabián Ruiz, who powered it home off a slight deflection off Timothy Castagne to give La Roja a deserved lead.
Spain looked comfortable even though Belgium had a brilliant response just before the break. In the 41st minute, Charles De Ketelaere raced in front of Pau Cubarsí to a connect a splendid header that bypassed the goalkeeper after Castagne delivered a tempting cross from the right side. It was the first goal Spain had conceded in over 600 minutes of World Cup football. The sides went in at half-time all square at 1-1.
The second half followed a familiar pattern with Spain dominating possession and Belgium organised and dangerous on transitions. Spain struggled to deliver the telling final ball even as they dominated long spells as Courtois remained their nemesis, pulling off a superb save to keep out Mikel Oyarzabal just after the hour.
The game was turned on its head in the 72nd minute when Courtois was forced off with injury and Senne Lammens came on for the Belgian captain. It should be the last World Cup for the legendary keeper.
The game was nearing its final stages and Lamine Yamal had a relatively quiet second half but Spain kept going for the winner. That moment came in the 88th minute when Lammens parried Cubarsí’s long-range effort into a dangerous space in the six-yard box. Quickest off the mark was Mikel Merino who fired home emphatically in the roof of the net to break Belgian hearts.
It was another example of Merino’s uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time, scoring a back-to-back last-ditch winners for Spain. Belgium was valiant throughout but Spain’s persistence was rewarded as La Roja had the last laugh with another statement win. They will face France in a blockbuster Semi Final clash.
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