When does France play Spain? For now, the immediate answer is that Spain have already taken another major step in the World Cup knockout stage, thanks to Mikel Merino’s latest late goal.
Merino came off the bench at 85.32 and scored in the 88th minute to give Spain a 2-1 win over Belgium in the World Cup semi-finals. It was another reminder that the midfielder has become one of Spain’s most decisive late-game options when the pressure is highest.
Merino keeps delivering in the biggest moments
This was not the first time Merino has changed Spain’s path with a late strike. Two years ago, he scored late goals that took Spain into a European championship semi-final. Four days ago, he did it again to help Spain reach a World Cup quarter-final. Against Belgium, he repeated the pattern once more.
That kind of timing is unusual for a substitute, but Merino has made a habit of arriving exactly when Spain need him. After the match, he 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.” The reference to his son Marco, who was born two months ago, added a personal layer to an already memorable night.
How the goal came together
The decisive moment came after Pau Cubarsí took a shot at 87.27 that Senne Lammens spilled. Merino was there to finish the move in the 88th minute and put Spain ahead for good.
Belgium had earlier found a way back into the game, with their equalizer coming 40 minutes and 12 seconds into the sixth game at 12.40 Pacific Time. The match was still level at 1-1 before Merino’s late winner settled it.
Belgium’s resistance also took a hit when Thibaut Courtois had to go off injured, forcing Senne Lammens into the action. Spain took advantage of the opening, and in a knockout-stage game where one moment can decide everything, they got theirs.
What it means for Spain
Spain’s run through the World Cup knockout stage has now been shaped by another late Merino strike. The margin was thin, the timing was tense, and the reward was a place in the next round.
For Belgium, it was a painful finish after a solid effort and an injury problem they could not fully absorb. For Spain, it was another example of why Merino has become such a useful weapon. If this tournament has shown anything, it is that Spain know how to survive tight games — and Merino knows how to finish them.
