Arabic version: هدف ميرينو في اللحظات الأخيرة يرسل إسبانيا إلى نصف النهائي
Mikel Merino produced a late match-winner to lift Spain into the World Cup semifinals, charging into the box and pouncing after a spilled rebound to break a stubborn deadlock.
According to ABC News, Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch after Senne Lammens spilled a rebound off Pau Cubarsí’s long shot, securing a 1-0 victory over Belgium and setting up a semifinal against tournament favourite France in the Dallas area. Merino had also scored as a substitute in injury time to beat Portugal in the round of 16.
The match also ended Unai Simón’s tournament record clean-sheet run. Simón had not conceded for a record 650 minutes before Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere got in front of Pau Cubarsí to head in Timothy Castagne’s cross in the 41st minute, becoming the first team to score against La Roja at this World Cup and snapping six consecutive clean sheets. Spain’s streak included a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 at the 2022 tournament (when Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout), a scoreless draw against Cabo Verde to open group play this year, and four consecutive victories to nil to advance to the quarterfinals. Simón had broken the previous record of 517 consecutive scoreless minutes during a 3-0 win over Austria to open the knockout round; Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga set the prior mark in 1990.
The Colombian Football Federation condemned death threats directed at midfielder Jaminton Campaz and his family after Colombia’s elimination on penalties by Switzerland. Campaz missed a late chance in extra time before the penalty shootout; on Instagram he shared a photo covering his face with a plea for respect, writing that “Football is also made up of difficult moments.” The federation said “No athlete, nor any member of their inner circle, should be subjected to intimidation for representing their country in a sporting arena.” The story noted the threats alongside a reminder of Andrés Escobar’s 1994 murder after an own-goal.
What happens next: Spain will face France in the semifinal on Tuesday in the Dallas area. Spain coach Luis De La Fuente called it “a clash of giants,” underscoring the significance of the upcoming match.
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