Mikel Merino once again emerged as Spain's unlikely hero, coming off the bench to score a late winner and send Spain into the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Belgium. The Arsenal midfielder repeated his stoppage-time heroics from the last 16 against Portugal, pouncing on an error by Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 88th minute to book a last-four clash with France.
The win puts Spain into the semi-finals for only the second time in their history, with the previous occasion—in 2010—ending in glory. But while Merino has been the super-sub sensation, the much-anticipated showdown between Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé in the next round serves as a reminder that Spain’s teenage prodigy is yet to truly explode at this tournament.
Merino: From Injury Nightmare to World Cup Hero
Few could have scripted Merino’s journey to this stage. In January, he suffered a rare stress fracture in his foot—an injury so unusual that specialists had never seen it before. It sidelined him from Arsenal duty and threatened his World Cup dream. He only returned to action a month before the tournament began.
“The fact of being here a few months ago was unthinkable,” Merino admitted after his winner against Portugal. “Now I remember all those bad moments, all the people who have supported me.”
Against Belgium, he was introduced in the 86th minute—just as he had been against Portugal—and within moments, he was in the right place to capitalize on Lammens’ spilled save, tapping home the rebound. It made him the first player in World Cup history to score winning goals in separate knockout ties as a substitute.
Spain’s Collective Strength Bails Out Flaws
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was effusive in his praise. “Mikel is incredible. He has many qualities. He is a player that across the whole World Cup could have played in whatever team and done great,” he said. “For us he is the standard of this idea, of this model. It is a pleasure to have him.”
De la Fuente also highlighted Merino’s versatility: “He can be the best striker and the best midfielder because of his understanding of the game.” That adaptability has been crucial for a Spain side that has shown resilience but also vulnerability—having been pushed close by Cape Verde and Egypt earlier in the tournament.
Heartbreak for Belgium’s Golden Generation
The defeat likely spells the end of an era for Belgium’s golden generation. Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Axel Witsel—mainstays since 2014—saw their final World Cup hopes extinguished by a mistake from Courtois’ replacement. Courtois had been forced off injured in the second half, and 24-year-old Lammens’ error opened the door for Merino’s winner.
“Lammens doesn’t cover himself in glory,” was the blunt assessment from pundits, as Belgium’s wait for a major trophy goes on.
Lamine Yamal: Waiting for the Moment
While Merino has delivered clutch moments, the spotlight now shifts to Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona forward has been influential in flashes—his direct running and creativity have caused problems—but he is yet to register a goal or assist that matches his billing. Pundits Cesar Azpilicueta and Wayne Rooney noted after the Belgium win that there is “more to come” from the 18-year-old. With a semi-final against France and the potential duel with Mbappé, the stage is set for Yamal to finally announce himself on the world stage.
Key Takeaways
- Mikel Merino has become Spain’s super-sub, scoring match-winning goals in two consecutive knockout games after coming off the bench.
- Belgium’s golden generation likely ended their final World Cup campaign with a quarter-final exit, marred by goalkeeper Senne Lammens’ error.
- Spain reached the semi-finals for only the second time, replicating their 2010 run which ended with the trophy.
- Lamine Yamal has shown glimpses but is yet to deliver a defining performance; the clash with France offers him the perfect platform.
Quick Facts
Match Result: Spain 2-1 Belgium
Winning Goal: Mikel Merino (88’) after Belgium error
Merino’s Substitute Impact: First player in World Cup history to score winning goals in separate knockout ties as a substitute
Spain’s Semi-Final Opponent: France
Yamal’s World Cup Output: 0 goals, 0 assists (but influential in build-up play)
