Mikel Merino struck an 88th-minute winner as Spain edged Belgium 2-1 to reach the 2026 World Cup semi-finals for only the second time in their history.
The substitutes’ story defined a tense quarter-final, as Belgium’s back-up goalkeeper spilled a shot to gift Spain the late goal that ended the Golden Generation’s tournament.
Spain took the lead in the 30th minute after Pedro Porro exchanged a one-two with Lamine Yamal and slid a low ball across the box.
Dani Olmo met it first-time and Thibaut Courtois saved, but Fabián Ruiz reacted quickest to scramble home the rebound.
Belgium responded before the break as Timothy Castagne swung in an inviting cross from the right, and Charles De Ketelaere climbed above Pau Cubarsí to head past Unai Simón.
De Ketelaere’s 41st-minute equaliser was significant, breaching Spain’s defence for the first time in the tournament and ending a run of more than 10 hours without conceding, which had stood as a Guinness World Record.
Belgium’s night had already been disrupted before kick-off, with captain Youri Tielemans injured in the warm-up and replaced in the starting line-up by Hans Vanaken.
Their problems deepened in the second half when Courtois was forced off injured and replaced by Senne Lammens.
The change proved decisive. Cubarsí’s shot bounced awkwardly and was spilled by Lammens, allowing Merino to pounce and finish two minutes from time.
It was another moment of clutch quality from Merino, who scored a stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16 before this latest late intervention.
The defeat brings the curtain down on Belgium’s campaign and likely marks the final World Cup appearance for several veterans of their Golden Generation.
For Spain, the win extends a run that recalls their 2010 championship, the only previous occasion they reached the last four of a World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente’s side now turn their attention to France, who await in the first semi-final.
Spain will face France in Dallas on Tuesday, 14 July, as Belgium exit the tournament.
