Super-sub Merino lifts Spain into World Cup semi-finals
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Mikel Merino is fast establishing himself as a super-sub as he came off the bench to score the all-important winner to lift Spain past Belgium and into the World Cup semi-finals.
Merino came off the bench and netted in the 88th minute as the European champions beat the injury-hit Belgians 2-1 to set up a blockbuster with France for a place in the final.
Fabián Ruiz had given Spain the lead on 30 minutes before Charles De Ketelaere equalised, meaning Unai Simón conceded for the first time in a record 649 World Cup minutes spread over two tournaments.
Merino, just like in the last-16 win over Portugal, then came off the bench and scored after a mistake from Belgium reserve keeper Senne Lammens.
The mouth-watering meeting with the French near Dallas on Tuesday will be a repeat of the Euro 2024 semi won by La Roja, whose only World Cup title was in 2010 in South Africa.
France, 1998 and 2018 winners who were runners-up to Argentina four years ago, know they will face their most difficult opponents so far after Spain dominated a Belgian side shorn of two key midfielders in Los Angeles.
Belgium were hit by captain Youri Tielemans having to pull out of the game during the warm-up with an apparent hamstring problem, adding to Amadou Onana’s absence after a knee ligament tear.
An injury to a tearful Thibaut Courtois in the 71st minute led to Manchester United’s Lammens entering the fray in the Belgium goal.
Both sides pushed in an absorbing second half but Spain managed to exploit that after bringing on Nico Williams and Merino.
Lammens spilled a long-range effort from Pau Cubarsi and Arsenal’s Merino did the rest to determine the outcome of the tie.
DPA