Merino Nets Late Winner as Spain Beat Belgium to Reach World Cup Semi-Finals

INGLEWOOD, California (AP): Mikel Merino has once more pulled Spain through at the World Cup, and the midfielder says he can hardly believe it happened again.

Only four days after he came off the bench to score in injury time against Portugal, Merino was on hand in the quarter-finals when Belgium's reserve goalkeeper let the ball slip into his path. He fired home in the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 win yesterday and a semi-final date with tournament favourites France.

"I've done this again, and it's happened to me again, so it would seem that coincidence exists," a smiling Merino said. "If you're ready and you try, I guess it can happen for you."

A flexible squad option for Spain and his English club Arsenal, Merino has become a standout substitute at this tournament, giving La Roja exactly what they needed to survive two knockout ties against elite opposition.

He has now scored twice at his first World Cup, and both strikes carried major weight.

"Honestly, it's crazy to be able to help the team once again," he said. "This time in a different way, but at the same time to believe and trust that the opposing goalkeeper could make a mistake and to stay alert."

Merino readily accepts that luck played a part. Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens was thrust into his first World Cup match in the 71st minute after starter Thibaut Courtois was injured.

Merino entered in the 86th minute and scored with his second touch, racing into the box and reacting quickly after Lammens mishandled Pau Cubarsí's long-range shot.

Fabián Ruiz had given Spain the lead with a rebound in the 30th minute, but Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere levelled in the 41st — the first goal Spain had conceded in the entire World Cup.

Merino's late winner carried Spain into the semi-finals for the first time since their 2010 World Cup triumph. A high-profile meeting with France has been in view since the draw was made late last year, and Spain were pleased to confirm their place.

"We came here for this, to play against the best teams in the world," Merino said. "We are confident in our possibilities, at the same time respecting the opposition. This is one of those games that you dream of when you're a kid, and now we have the chance to compete against a massive rival. Hopefully we'll get the win."

Spain and France will meet Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, in a fixture long awaited by football followers. Neither side has lost at this year's World Cup.

"It will be a clash of giants," Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said through a translator. "We are capable of winning this game — and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well. They are a great giant of football, but I trust our team."