Mikel Merino has done it once more — the ultimate impact substitute delivered another stunning late winner to propel Spain into the World Cup semi-finals. His 88th-minute strike against Belgium completed a remarkable comeback narrative, with the match turning on a costly goalkeeper injury that left the Belgians exposed at the crucial moment.
The Supersub Strikes Again
Merino entered the pitch at 85:32 with the scoreline locked at 1-1 and barely two minutes of regulation remaining. What followed defied rational explanation — Pau Cubarsí unleashed a shot that substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens could not hold, and Merino was perfectly positioned to smash the rebound into the net at 87:27. The entire sequence lasted just one minute and 56 seconds from his introduction to the decisive moment.
This was the third time Merino had delivered a late, tournament-defining goal in consecutive competitions. His previous interventions came in the 119th minute against Germany and the 91st minute against Portugal, but this effort carried extra personal significance — his two-month-old son Marco was watching from the stands for the very first time. “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,” Merino said after the match.
Spain’s Dominant Opening
Luis de la Fuente made a bold tactical call before kick-off, opting to deploy Fabián Ruiz in place of Pedri in central midfield. The PSG midfielder justified that decision almost immediately, creating the first meaningful chance by pulling back for Rodri inside ten minutes. Twenty minutes later, Ruiz converted the opening goal himself.
The move that led to the breakthrough showcased Spain‘s fluid attacking play at its finest. Lamine Yamal delivered a perfectly weighted pass to release Pedro Porro down the right flank, and his cutback found Dani Olmo, whose first-time effort was parried by Thibaut Courtois. Ruiz reacted quickest to the loose ball, tucking it away and celebrating by stuffing the ball under his shirt.
Spain continued to press for a second goal, with Cubarsí threading a ball that nearly left Álex Baena through on goal, and Lamine Yamal demonstrating his exceptional close control to escape Jérémy Doku before striking the side-netting. The match appeared to be drifting comfortably in the Spaniards’ favour.
Belgium’s Equalizer Changes the Narrative
The comfortable atmosphere evaporated at the 40-minute mark when Belgium drew level — and in doing so, ended Spain‘s perfect defensive record at this World Cup. Charles De Ketelaere powered a header past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1, with the goal originating from the relentless energy of Jérémy Doku driving forward.
Kevin De Bruyne was the architect of the equalizer, producing a crisp, unhurried first-time pass that allowed Timothy Castagne to deliver a precise cross into the box. De Ketelaere timed his run to perfection, getting ahead of Cubarsí to direct the ball home. It was Belgium‘s first real moment of genuine quality, and it arrived at precisely the right time.
Second Half Pressure and Belgian Resistance
The second half resumed with Lamine Yamal again at the heart of Spain‘s attacking intent, though Courtois — before his injury — continued to frustrate the La Roja forwards. The Belgian goalkeeper denied Yamal twice and kept out Oyarzabal as Spain pushed relentlessly for a winner. At the other end, Maxim De Cuyper squandered a clear opportunity, firing into the side-netting after Doku and De Bruyne had combined dangerously.
Belgium‘s resistance was gradually being worn down by mounting physical and tactical problems. Youri Tielemans had been withdrawn from the starting lineup just before kick-off, and midway through the second half Courtois was forced off in tears, clutching his thigh. De Bruyne eventually followed him to the bench. With their most influential players gone, Belgium dug deep, defending with everything they had — but the clock was running out.
Merino Seals Spain’s Fate
With five minutes remaining and the match still level, de la Fuente turned to his most reliable weapon. Merino stepped onto the pitch at 85:32, and within less than two minutes the game was over. Cubarsí‘s shot was fumbled by Lammens — the replacement goalkeeper who had been thrust into an impossible situation — and Merino was there to finish with clinical precision.
The goal sparked wild celebrations, with Merino racing toward the corner flag in the tribute run he has made his own, dedicated to his father Angel. Meanwhile, Courtois could only observe from the sideline, unable to intervene in the moment that ended Belgium‘s World Cup campaign. For Spain, the victory felt like more than just a result — it felt like destiny, with back-to-back dramatic late wins suggesting that something extraordinary may be unfolding in this tournament.
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