Mikel Merino’s late goal secures Spain 2-1 victory over Belgium, setting up France semi-final
Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium in a recent match, with Mikel Merino scoring a late winner. This result propels Spain into a semi-final clash against France. The match saw Merino, who has been a consistent late-game contributor, capitalize on a goalkeeping error to seal the win.
The decisive goal came in the 88th minute. Merino, who had entered the game as a substitute, scored from a rebound after Belgium‘s stand-in goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsi. This marked Merino‘s second touch of the match and his second consecutive late winner in the tournament, having also scored a crucial goal against Portugal in the previous round.
Lammens had been introduced in the 71st minute after Thibaut Courtois was forced off due to an injury. Courtois‘s departure was described as emotional, and his replacement faced immediate pressure, ultimately leading to the late goal that decided the match.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
Spain initially took the lead in the 30th minute through Fabian Ruiz. His goal came after Courtois parried a shot from Dani Olmo, allowing Ruiz to convert the rebound from close range. However, Belgium responded in the 41st minute when Charles De Ketelaere headed in a cross from Timothy Castagne, leveling the score before halftime.
This goal by De Ketelaere marked the first time Spain had conceded in the tournament, ending a record streak of 649 minutes without allowing a goal. Despite this setback, Spain continued to press for a winner, with chances from players like Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal being saved by Courtois before his injury.
The match was characterized by several notable moments. In the 47th minute, Lamine Yamal was denied by Courtois in a one-on-one situation. Later, in the 55th minute, a combination play between Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne set up Maxim De Cuyper, whose shot went into the side-netting. Courtois also made multiple saves in the 61st minute, first from Yamal and then from Oyarzabal, highlighting his performance before his injury.
Spain’s Path to the Semi-Finals
Spain‘s victory extends their unbeaten run to 36 matches since March 2023. Manager Luis de la Fuente has now managed 13 games at major tournaments without a loss, a record among international managers. The team’s performance against Belgium demonstrated their resilience and ability to secure crucial wins.
The upcoming semi-final against France is scheduled to take place in Texas on Tuesday. France is considered a tournament favorite, setting the stage for a highly anticipated match. Spain‘s consistent form and the emergence of players like Mikel Merino in critical moments have positioned them as strong contenders.
The team’s success has also been attributed to key players such as Rodri, who has been central to Spain‘s play. He has made 62 line-breaking passes in the final third during the tournament, matching a record set by Germany‘s Toni Kroos in 2014. The collective effort and individual contributions have been vital in their progression to the semi-finals.
Merino expressed his satisfaction with his late goals, stating that being prepared allows such moments to happen. He emphasized his pleasure with the team’s progress, noting that two more matches could lead to a World Cup victory, which he described as a dream.
Belgium, despite their efforts to find an equalizer in the final minutes, were unable to convert their chances. Aymeric Laporte notably cleared their best opportunity out of the box. Their tournament journey concluded with this defeat, while Spain continues its pursuit of the title.
The semi-final match against France is scheduled for July 14.
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Source: skysports.com
