Merino the hero again as Spain edge Belgium to set up France semi-final

Merino does it again, Spain are into the semis

Spain 2–1 Belgium in the World Cup quarter-final on Friday, and Mikel Merino was the match-winner once more (1) (2) (3). The man who broke Portuguese hearts in the last 16 scored the decisive goal to send your team through to the final four (12) (13). Lamine Yamal took Player of the Match honours (13).

The win did not come clean. Charles De Ketelaere became the first player to score against Spain at this tournament, ending Unai Simón's record run of 649 minutes without conceding (9). The Belgian goal came after Courtois limped off with a hamstring injury and replacement Senne Lammens gifted Spain the opening, a goalkeeping error that Belgian media are calling the end of their golden generation (4) (5) (14).

Courtois injured, and Belgium unravelled

Thibaut Courtois felt his hamstring tighten on a long ball, tried to play through it, but could not hit the ball properly (4) (5) (9). "The manager told me that if I wasn't 100%, he'd substitute me," Courtois said. "I said I felt bad, that I couldn't play long balls" (9). Senne Lammens came on and the game turned (14).

VAR ignores a handball shout

A possible handball in the box went unchecked by VAR during the quarter-final (8). The incident could have changed the match, but the officials waved play on and Spain held firm (8).

Azpilicueta: Yamal has more to give

Cesar Azpilicueta was blunt after the match. "I think he has more to give," he said of Lamine Yamal, despite the youngster earning POTM (12). The former Spain defender is asking whether the 18-year-old can find another gear against France (12).

France await on Tuesday

Spain will face France in the semi-final on Tuesday, July 14 (2) (3) (6). Luis De la Fuente did not hide his confidence. "We are the only ones to have beaten them twice," he said (2). Lamine Yamal matched the tone: "If France has to fear anyone, it's us. We're the ones who have knocked them out before" (7). The French press are calling it their biggest test of the tournament (3).

Spain U19 face Germany in the Euro final

Spain's U19 team are also one win from a trophy. Germany U19 captain Francis Onyeka says his side knows how to beat Spain in the European Championship final (10). Real Madrid's Thiago Pitarch, who is leading the Spain U19 line, brushed off José Mourinho contact rumours. "I'm focused on the European Championship final," he said. "We'll see what happens after that" (11).

Fan reactions

Spanish fans in Pilar de la Horadada erupted the moment the final whistle went, the celebration footage is everywhere (Reddit). Yamal's POTM award and his "if France has to fear anyone, it's us" quote are dominating the conversation, with supporters feeling the swagger is earned after back-to-back knockout heroics from Merino (Reddit). Some are already digging into the stats: Simón's 649-minute clean sheet streak, broken by a De Ketelaere goal that still has people asking questions about the defending (Reddit).

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