Merino's 88th-Minute Winner Sends Spain Into World Cup Semis
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute as a substitute to give Spain a 2-1 win over Belgium and a place in the World Cup semi-finals, described in the source as him emerging as 'Spain's hero yet again'
- Spain will face France in the semi-final after Merino's late winner stunned Belgium, capping a quarter-final decided by a single late goal
Why it matters: Spain book a World Cup semi-final against France after Merino delivered a second consecutive clutch late goal, continuing his run as the tournament's go-to substitute finisher and setting up a blockbuster clash with Les Bleus.
