Spain beats Belgium 2-1 and reaches the semi-finals of the World Cup, where they will challenge France on 14 July. The goal was decisive with a touch in front of goal by Merino at the end of the second half, after a short clearance by Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who took over a few minutes ago from starter Thibaut Courtois who was out due to injury.
Spain led the match, in the 30th minute of the first half the goal of the momentary advantage was by Fabian Ruiz, with Belgium having recovered the partial before the break with a header in the 41st minute by Charles De Ketelaere.
The red furies had not reached a world semi-final since 2010, the year in which the Iberians became world champions for the only time in South Africa.
Spain-Belgium, the scoreboard
SPAIN (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon 6; Porro 6.5, Cubarsi 5.5, Laporte 6.5, Cucurella 6.5; Rodri 6, Fabian Ruiz 7 (9′ st Pedri 6); Yamal 6, Olmo 6.5 (41′ st Merino 7.5), Baena 5.5 (9′ st Torres 6); Oyarzabal 5.5 (34′ st Williams sv). On the bench: Raya, Pubill, Grimaldo, E. Garcia, Llorente, Gavi, Pino, J. Garcia, Zubimendi, Munoz, Iglesias. Coach: De la Fuente 7.
BELGIUM (4-2-3-1): Courtois 7 (26′ st Lammens 5); Castagne 7, Ngoy 6, Mechele 6, De Cuyper 5.5 (15′ st Seys 6); Raskin 6, Vanaken 6 (15′ st Lukaku 6); Doku 6, De Bruyne 5.5 (41′ st Saelemaekers sv), Trossard 6 (15′ st Witsel 6); De Ketelaere 7. On the bench: Theate, Penders, Lukebakio, Meunier, De Winter, Moreira, Tielemans, Fernandez-Pardo. Coach: Rudi Garcia 6.
REFEREE: Oliver (England) 6.
GOALS: 30′ pt Fabian Ruiz, 41′ pt De Ketelaere; 43′ st Merino.
NOTES: clear sky, pitch in good condition. Booked: Cubarsi, De Bruyne, Laporte, Witsel. Corners: 5-1 for Spain. Recovery time: 5′; 7′.