Mikel Merino’s Late Strike Propels Spain Into World Cup Semifinals as Belgium’s Golden Generation Exits

Spain has advanced to the FIFA World Cup semifinals for the first time since their 2010 triumph following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium at the SoFi Stadium in California. In a high-stakes quarterfinal encounter, Mikel Merino emerged as the hero, scoring a decisive 88th-minute goal to extend Spain's remarkable unbeaten streak to 36 matches. The victory sets up a highly anticipated semifinal clash against France, marking a significant milestone for manager Luis de la Fuente’s resilient squad.

The match began with Spain taking the initiative, finding an early breakthrough through Fabián Ruiz. Spain's fluid attacking play, supported by contributions from young talent Lamine Yamal, kept the Belgian defense under pressure for much of the first half. However, Belgium displayed veteran grit, finding an equalizer before halftime through a header by Charles De Ketelaere. This goal was particularly noteworthy as it represented the first time the Spanish defense had been breached during the tournament. Despite the equalizer, Belgium’s momentum was severely hampered by a series of critical injuries, including the pre-match loss of captain Youri Tielemans and the mid-game exit of star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to a thigh injury.

The game’s climax was defined by a combination of tactical persistence and a costly defensive lapse. Following Courtois' exit, young substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens took over between the posts. In the closing stages, Lammens struggled to handle a powerful shot from Pau Cubarsí, spilling the ball into the path of Mikel Merino, who capitalized on the rebound to secure the win. While Spain celebrated their tactical discipline, Belgium was left to rue the physical toll and the fine margins of tournament football that ultimately ended their quest for a maiden title.

For Belgium, the defeat likely signals the end of an era for their storied "Golden Generation," including icons like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Axel Witsel. Manager Rudi Garcia expressed disappointment that his veteran stars would not have one final opportunity to shine on the world stage, though the performance of several upcoming players indicates a new era is on the horizon. Spain, conversely, enters the semifinals with immense momentum and defensive confidence as they prepare for their July 14 showdown against France, eyeing their second-ever World Cup trophy.