Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on Merino's 88th-minute goal, reach semis
What's next: Spain will play France in the World Cup semifinals after Mikel Merino scored the winner four days after eliminating Portugal.
Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California, when substitute Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute. Merino struck on his second touch after Belgium backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsi's long shot. Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute, but Charles De Ketelaere equalized in the 41st with the first goal Spain had conceded in the tournament. Lammens entered in the 71st minute after Thibaut Courtois was injured. Merino had also scored the late winner against Portugal four days earlier. Spain reached the semifinals for the first time since its 2010 title and now faces France.