The "Invincible Armada" of Spain has advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 North and Central American World Cup, where they will face France, after defeating Belgium thanks to a game-winning goal by Mikel Merino in his second consecutive match.
Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals held today (July 11) at Los Angeles Stadium in California, U.S., with Merino scoring the decisive goal in the 43rd minute of the second half.
With this result, Spain and France, who previously clashed in the semifinals of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2024), are set for a rematch on the World Cup semifinal stage.
Spain, which won that encounter two years ago, went on to defeat England in the final to claim the title of "European Champion."
Spain, which controlled the flow of the game, took the lead in the 30th minute of the first half with a goal from Fabian Ruiz.
After right-back Pedro Porro made a deep penetration and delivered a cutback, Dani Olmo connected with a right-footed shot. Although the goalkeeper parried the ball, Ruiz, who was rushing toward the goal, struck it again with his right foot to find the back of the net.
Belgium did not sit idly by.
In the 41st minute of the first half, Timothy Castagne sent a cross from the right, which Charles De Ketelaere, positioned at the near post, redirected with a header to score the equalizer.
With this goal conceded, Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon saw his record for the most consecutive World Cup matches without conceding a goal, which had spanned from the 2022 Qatar tournament to this event, end at 7 games.
His scoreless streak, also a new World Cup record, concluded at 649 minutes.
Spain, which had been the only team in the tournament without conceding a goal, allowed a goal for the first time.
Belgium faced a variable in the middle of the second half with a goalkeeper substitution.
Senne Lammens replaced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 26th minute of the second half after Courtois complained of discomfort in his left thigh.
This ultimately proved to be a misfortune.
As Spain intensified their offensive, defender Pau Cubarsi fired a low and powerful long-range shot in the 43rd minute of the second half.
Although Lammens read the direction of the shot well, he failed to secure the ball properly, and Merino, who had been substituted in just two minutes earlier, struck the loose ball with his left foot to decide the match.
Merino showcased his prowess as a "super joker," scoring the winning goal as a substitute for the second consecutive match, following his performance in the Round of 16 against Portugal (1-0).
This marks the first time in 16 years that Spain has reached the World Cup semifinals since their championship run in 2010.
The semifinal match between Spain and France will take place at Dallas Stadium on July 15 at 4:00 a.m. KST.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)