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Merino puts Spain into World Cup semi-finals as Belgium rue costly Courtois injury
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Mikel Merino scored a late goal after coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute, securing Spain's victory over Belgium and sending them to the European Championship semi-final against France.
- Fabian Ruiz played a key role, assisting and scoring early in the match, helping Spain dominate much of the game before Belgium equalized through Charles De Ketelaere.
- Belgium faced significant setbacks with injuries to key players Thibaut Courtois, Youri Tielemans, and Kevin De Bruyne, which weakened their defense in the crucial moments.
- Spain maintained pressure throughout the match, with standout performances from Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena, creating multiple scoring opportunities before Merino's decisive goal.
- The match was marked by intense back-and-forth play, but Spain's tactical substitutions and resilience ultimately led to their victory and progression in the tournament.
