Mikel Merino scored an 88th-minute winner as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to advance to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals on Friday.
Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain on the half-hour mark, before they conceded their first goal of the tournament by way of Charles De Ketelaere.
Once again, it was the late introduction of Merino, this time coming on for Dani Olmo in the 86th minute, that made the difference. Our man got on the end of a rebound just two minutes later, nestling the ball into the back of the net for 2-1.
It’s back-to-back late winners for Merino, after his 91st minute goal helped Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16.
After the game, Merino said: “It’s truly incredible. I don’t really know what to say. This same story surprises me, but there are no coincidences. If it happens to you it’s because you’re prepared for when you go out. It fell to me again and I was lucky again that it went in.”
Commiserations then to Leandro Trossard, who played an hour of the match for Belgium, and can leave the tournament with his head held high for his contributions throughout.
As for Spain, they will take on France at 8pm UK time on Tuesday, July 14, with Merino, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi set to go head-to-head with William Saliba for a place in the final.
The penultimate quarter-final takes place at 10pm today, with Martin Odegaard and Norway facing our England quartet of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.
Odegaard looking forward to England test
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Source: Arsenal.com
