Spain beat Belgium 2-1 as Merino's 88th-minute goal seals semis

Spain reached the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win over Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, after Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute. Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th, but Charles De Ketelaere leveled for Belgium before halftime. Belgium's hopes took a hit in the 71st minute when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went off injured and Senne Lammens replaced him. Merino struck late after Lammens could not hold Pau Cubarsí's shot, sending Spain through to a semifinal against France at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.