Los Angeles: Merino sends Spain to semi-finals after Lammens error
Spain advances to semi-finals
Spain has secured a spot in the World Cup semi-finals, defeating Belgium in a match held in Inglewood. The decisive goal came late in the game from Mikel Merino, marking his second match-winner in the knockout stages of the tournament. This victory sets up a semi-final clash against France, scheduled to take place in Dallas.
The match saw a significant turn of events when Belgium’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, was forced to leave the field due to a thigh injury with approximately 20 minutes remaining. His replacement, Senne Lammens, subsequently made an error that led to Spain’s winning goal. Lammens was unable to secure a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi, spilling the ball directly into Merino’s path, who then scored.
This win extends Spain’s impressive unbeaten streak in competitive matches to 36. The team, the reigning European champions, are now one step closer to potentially securing their nation’s second World Cup triumph, nearly 16 years after their victory in 2010. Despite their progression, the team’s performance was described as not entirely convincing at times.
Key moments and Belgian challenges
The encounter was the first between Spain and Belgium in a decade, with Spain holding an 11-game unbeaten record against their European opponents, dating back to a World Cup quarter-final shootout defeat 40 years prior in Puebla City, Mexico. The match was played in sweltering conditions, kicking off at midday in Inglewood.
Belgium faced an early setback even before kick-off, as captain Youri Tielemans sustained a hamstring injury during the warm-up. Despite this, Belgium’s manager, Rudi Garcia, brought back key players Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne into the starting lineup, after their surprise omission in the previous round against the USA.
In the first quarter of the match, Belgium demonstrated resilience. Doku, who had previously made headlines for returning home for the birth of his child, posed a constant threat on the counter-attack. Spain, however, took the lead after approximately half an hour. Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal combined on the right, leading to Dani Olmo’s shot being saved by Courtois. The rebound fell to Fabian Ruiz, who scored.
Yamal continued to impress with his attacking play, creating several opportunities. However, Spain conceded a goal four minutes before the interval. Charles De Ketelaere scored for Belgium, assisted by Timothy Castagne, with De Bruyne initiating the move with a precise pass. This goal marked the first time Spain’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon, had conceded in 650 World Cup minutes.
Second half developments and upcoming fixture
The second half saw a more balanced contest, with both teams creating chances. Yamal had another shot that went wide, and Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, made a double substitution, bringing on Ferran Torres and Pedri. As the half progressed, Belgium, with Romelu Lukaku introduced, appeared to be a genuine threat on the counter-attack.
The pivotal moment arrived when Courtois suffered his injury, leading to Lammens’ entry into the game. Shortly after, De Bruyne had an opportunity from distance, but his shot was blocked by Rodri. As extra time loomed, Belgium’s defensive posture deepened, which allowed Cubarsi to take an unchallenged shot on goal. Lammens’ subsequent error, failing to hold onto the ball, presented Merino with the chance to score the winning goal.
The match was broadcast by the BBC, featuring a lineup of pundits including Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, and former Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta. Kelly Cates presented the coverage, with Steve Wilson providing the main commentary alongside Stephen Warnock. Spain will now face France in the semi-final in Dallas.
The semi-final match against France will feature Kylian Mbappe and the French attack. The game is scheduled for Tuesday in the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium. Spain’s progression was celebrated by a large contingent of their supporters among the 70,000-strong crowd in Los Angeles.
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Source: independent.co.uk
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
