FLASH
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Mikel Merino is Spain's "ass under the sleeve". Eliminates Belgium with a goal at the end. "Red Fury" faces "Roosters" of France in the early final
Spain have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup, after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a match fought until the last seconds, held at the “SoFi Stadium” in Los Angeles. In the semi-finals, the Iberians will face France.
Luis de la Fuentes' team took the lead in the 30th minute. After a cross from Pedro Porro from the right wing, Dani Olmo was initially stopped by Thibaut Courtois's reception, but Fabian Ruiz was alert and sent the ball into the net.
Belgium responded at the end of the first half and equalized in the 41st minute. Timoti Kastanj curled a shot into the area, while Charles De Keteler headed past Unai Simon, giving Spain their first goal of the World Cup. The score was 1-1 after 45 minutes.
In the second half, both teams created good chances. De Kuiper came close to scoring for Belgium in the 55th minute, but his effort ended up in the outside of the net. Eight minutes later, Mikel Ojarzabal came close to giving Spain the lead, but Courtois reacted brilliantly.
In the 71st minute, Belgium suffered a heavy blow as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to leave the field injured, in tears, making way for Saint-Lamens.
As things were heading towards extra time, Spain found the goal of the match. In the 88th minute, a powerful shot from Pau Cubarsi was badly deflected by Lamens, while Mikel Merino, introduced just a few minutes earlier, took advantage of the ball remaining in the area and pushed it into the net for 2-1.
Merino became Spain's hero again, scoring the decisive goal just minutes after coming off the bench against Portugal. With this dramatic victory, "La Roja" secures a place in the semi-finals, where they will face France and the Chilean Mbappe.
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