Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a tightly contested quarterfinal match. Mikel Merino delivered the decisive moment in the 88th minute, scoring the winning goal from a rebound off backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Merino's late strike proved crucial, securing Spain's narrow victory and marking his second consecutive standout performance in the tournament. The goal came after intense pressure from Spain in the final stages of the match, capitalizing on a defensive lapse following a save.