Merino strikes late again to send Spain past Belgium into a semi-final with France

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Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Belgium, Mikel Merino striking in the 88th minute after Fabián Ruiz's opener had been cancelled out by Charles De Ketelaere. According to Al Jazeera, Merino pounced on a rebound spilled by Belgium's substitute goalkeeper, capping a game Spain dominated with 16 shots to five.

The result set up a heavyweight semi-final between Spain and France, the holders having already beaten Morocco, with the tie scheduled for Dallas on July 14, per Olympics.com.

Two quarter-final places remain to be decided on July 11, with Norway facing England and Argentina meeting Switzerland to complete the last four, according to Yahoo Sports.

Transfer and squad notes

Belgium's quarter-final was undermined by injuries, captain Youri Tielemans withdrawing in the warm-up and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois forced off in the second half, per NBC News; his replacement, Senne Lammens, was beaten by Merino's late winner as Belgium went out.

Spain's reliance on late goals continued, Merino following up his stoppage-time winner against Portugal with another decisive intervention, according to CNN, even as Lamine Yamal again created chances without finding the finish his tournament has been building toward.

What it means for the league

Spain's win puts them a step from the final and into a semi-final loaded with quality against an unbeaten France, setting up one half of a last four still taking shape. Belgium's exit, hastened by injuries, continues a knockout phase that has steadily thinned the field of established names. The other semi-final will be settled on July 11, when the winners of Norway–England and Argentina–Switzerland complete the last four.