Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday night, advancing to face France in the semifinals after a match defined by an injury to Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and a disastrous debut for his replacement, Senne Lammens. The Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute, capitalizing on a howler from Lammens, who had been thrust into the spotlight after Courtois left the pitch in tears.
The match began with Spain dominating possession, as expected under coach Luis de la Fuente. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring. Ruiz pounced on a clearance from Courtois, firing the ball into the net to give Spain a deserved lead. Belgium, however, responded quickly. Just before halftime, Charles de Ketelaere headed home an equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1 and setting up a tense second half.
The turning point arrived early in the second half when Courtois, widely regarded as one of the world's best goalkeepers, suffered an injury and was forced to leave the field. The Real Madrid star was seen in tears as he was substituted, a moment that visibly shook his teammates and the Belgian bench. His replacement was Senne Lammens, a 22-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper making his World Cup debut under the most challenging circumstances imaginable.
Lammens initially appeared composed, but the pressure mounted as Spain continued to press. In the 89th minute, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí tested Lammens with a long-range shot. The Belgian goalkeeper failed to handle the ball cleanly, spilling it into the path of Merino, who calmly slotted home the winner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Spanish players and fans, while Lammens was left devastated on the pitch, his nightmare debut complete.
Merino, who had come off the bench as a substitute, later described the moment as surreal. «I still can't believe it,» he said in post-match interviews. «It seems like coincidences don't exist. If you come in prepared, it happens again. I'm super happy and delighted.» The goal was reminiscent of Merino's heroics in the previous round against Portugal, where he also scored a late winner, cementing his reputation as a super-sub for Spain.
Belgium's defeat was a bitter blow for a team that had high hopes of winning its first World Cup. The injury to Courtois was a significant factor, but the team also struggled to contain Spain's midfield, led by Ruiz and Pedri, who was left out of the starting lineup but made an impact after coming on. De la Fuente's tactical decisions, including starting Pedri on the bench, proved decisive. «Leaving Pedri out was key for the first goal,» the coach noted. «And trusting Mikel Merino from the bench is a formula that seems to guarantee success.»
Spain will now face France in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 14, at 9:00 PM local time. France advanced after a 2-0 win over Morocco, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. The match promises to be a clash of two European powerhouses, with Spain looking to reach its second World Cup final in history. For Belgium, the focus will shift to regrouping and addressing the injury concerns surrounding Courtois, whose fitness will be crucial for future campaigns.
The match also highlighted the fragility of even the best-laid plans in tournament football. Belgium had prepared meticulously for the quarterfinal, but the loss of their star goalkeeper and the error from his replacement undid their efforts. Lammens, who had been signed by Manchester United as a promising young talent, will now have to recover from a traumatic debut that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Spain, meanwhile, will carry momentum and confidence into the semifinal, buoyed by the resilience shown in overcoming a tough Belgian side.