Spain’s late winner sets up semifinal against France

Spain waited until the closing stages to break Belgium’s resistance, with substitute Mikel Merino delivering the decisive moment to send his team into a semifinal against France.

Merino, introduced from the bench as Spain searched for a breakthrough, pounced late after Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens slipped at a critical moment. The mistake opened the door for Spain, and Merino made no mistake with the finish, turning a tense contest in Spain’s favor and ending Belgium’s hopes in painful fashion.

The result continued Spain’s recent habit of finding answers deep into matches, blending patience in possession with the ability to punish even small lapses. Belgium, which had worked to stay organized and limit Spain’s rhythm, was left to absorb a defeat shaped by one dramatic late sequence.

Merino provides decisive touch

Spain’s attacking play had been met by a disciplined Belgian setup for much of the match. The Spanish midfield tried to control tempo and force openings, while Belgium looked to stay compact and choose moments to break forward. As the match wore on, Spain turned to its bench for fresh legs and a new angle of attack.

Merino’s introduction proved decisive. Known for his timing in the box and composure under pressure, he arrived in the right place after Lammens lost his footing. The Belgian keeper, brought on as a substitute, was unable to recover, and Merino’s goal shifted the match from a finely balanced contest to a Spanish celebration.

For Belgium, the ending was especially harsh. The team had stayed in the match long enough to believe it could force extra time or find a late chance of its own. Instead, a single slip became the defining image of the night, overshadowing the work done by Belgium’s defense and midfield across the match.

France awaits in the semifinal

Spain now moves on to face France, a matchup that carries significant weight given the quality and history of both sides. The semifinal is expected to test Spain’s control-based approach against a French team capable of changing games quickly through pace, physicality and individual skill.

The late win also gives Spain momentum, though the performance will likely be reviewed with an eye on sharper finishing and quicker chance creation. Knockout matches are often decided by fine margins, and Spain benefited from one at the right time.

Belgium exits with frustration, knowing it was close to extending the contest before Merino’s intervention. For Spain, the focus turns quickly to France and the chance to reach another final. The manner of the win may not have been comfortable, but the outcome was clear: Spain survived the pressure, punished a mistake and moved one step closer to the title match.