Super-sub Mikel Merino was the hero again, scoring an 88th-minute winner to send Spain into the World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday.Spain now face favorites France in a blockbuster semi-final in Dallas on Tuesday. “It will be a clash of giants,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said after the game.The defining moment came just two minutes after Merino entered the arena. In the 88th minute, Pau Cubarsà unleashed a powerful long-range strike. Substitute Belgium midfielder Senne Lammens made the save, allowing the Arsenal forward to slot in and head the ball home for just his second touch of the game. Merino scored the winner in the 91st minute against Portugal in the Round of 16.It was a sad end for Belgium, who lost star goal scorer Thibaut Courtois to a thigh injury in the 71st minute. Courtois left the field in tears and was replaced by Lammens.Earlier, Spain messed up in the 30th minute. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro combined wonderfully on the right side to set up Dani Olmo. While Courtois blocked Olmo’s initial shot, Fabián Ruiz was ready to hit the initial shot again. Ruiz was surprisingly included in the starting XI, replacing Pedri.Spain’s defensive prowess was on full display, having kept five clean sheets in a row before the game. Goalkeeper Unai Simón reached 650 minutes at the World Cup without conceding. However, that good record came to an end in the 41st minute when Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere skipped past Cubarsà to head home a neat cross from Timothy Castagne.Belgium were dealt a blow before the game when Amadou Onana was injured and captain Youri Tielemans pulled out in the warm-up, although Kevin De Bruyne returned to the lineup. Despite late surgery by Romelu Lukaku, Aymeric Laporte scored the crucial clearance in stoppage time to seal victory for Spain.With this victory, Spain extended their unbeaten streak to 37, while Belgium’s 18-match unbeaten run ended.
