**_JONATHAN SHALLARD in LOS ANGELES_**: The two best teams at the 2026 World Cup will meet not in the final but in next Tuesday’s semi-final in Dallas after Spain set up a duel with France by defeating injury-hit Belgium 2-1 in Inglewood.
Yet another late goal by newly-arrived substitute Mikel Merino – repeating his quarter-final feat against Portugal – made the ultimate difference in the 88th minute. The first half had seen Fabian Ruiz open the scoring before Charles de Ketelaere levelled with the first goal Spain had conceded in these finals.
Arsenals Merino said: “It’s a massive step for us, playin the semi-finals after 16 years. We are ready. This team has a high ceilng and our goal is always to improve. I think we deserved more today because we created a lot but hopefully in the next game we will see an even brighter Spain. We are confident in our possibilities. it will be one of those games you dream of as a kid, hopefully we’ll get the win.”
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**_Mikel Merino celebrates his winning strike_**
Spain have not been this far in a World Cup since they won it in South Africa in 2010. Luis de la Fuentes’s team were far from their best, in the image of their star forward Lamine Yamal, but their domination of possession exacerbated the fatigue factor in the heat for the Belgians.
Belgium had started at a disadvantage – captain Youri Tielemans was taken out of the starting lineup shortly before kickoff after being injured in the warm-up, with Hans Vanaken replacing him. They were also without midfielder Amadou Onana, who tore knee ligaments in their Round of 16 win over the United States.
Spain were aggressive early on and Fabian Ruiz gave them the lead in the 30th minute, pouncing after Courtois had only parried a shot from Dani Olmo.
Ruiz’s goal vindicated Spain coach De la Fuente’s surprise decision to start the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder in place of Pedri, who came on for Ruiz early in the second half.
Belgium responded 11 minutes later when De Ketelaere timed his run perfectly to head Timothy Castagne’s cross past keeper Unai Simon.
The equaliser breathed new life into Belgium and the teams battled to halftime in the oppressive heat.
Spain came out energised after the break and chipped away at the Belgium defence until Merino, introduced after 86 minutes, finally broke through to the delight of their supporters.
Belgium’s back-up goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had substituted the injured Courtois minutes earlier, failed to hold Pau Cubarsi’s low strike and Merino was in place to shoot home.
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