Spain scored late to beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday and book a place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face France in one of the tournament's biggest matches.
Mikel Merino was the hero once again, scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute after Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsí's low shot into his path.
Merino had also scored the decisive goal in Spain's Round of 16 victory over Portugal earlier in the week.
Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute after reacting quickest to a rebound, but Belgium hit back 11 minutes later when Charles De Ketelaere headed home to score the first goal Spain had conceded in the tournament.
Belgium's hopes suffered a major setback early in the second half when veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a leg injury.
Coach Rudi Garcia later admitted the change affected his team.
"It is hard for a goalkeeper to come into a match like that," Garcia said.
"With players of Thibaut's age, if they are not 100 percent, you cannot take risks."
Courtois also offered support to his replacement after the final whistle.
"I know how difficult moments like this are for a goalkeeper," he said.
"Senne will learn from it and come back stronger."
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players' determination.
"This team never stops believing," he said.
"We kept pushing until the end because we trusted our football."
The victory sends Spain into their first World Cup semifinal since winning the title in 2010.
They will now meet defending champions France, who are chasing a place in a third consecutive World Cup final, in what promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.
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