Magic Merino strikes again as Spain down Belgium to reach World Cup semis

INGLEWOOD, California, July 10 : Super-sub Mikel Merino snatched another late winner for Spain on Friday after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold onto the ball as they claimed a 2-1 win over their injury-hit opponents and set up a World Cup semi-final clash with France.

After the teams went in level at 1-1 following the first half, Spain eventually prevailed when Belgian back-up keeper Lammens, who came on in the second period for the injured Thibaut Courtois, spilled Pau Cubarsi's low strike.

The ball bounced in front of Lammens, giving Merino just enough time to fire home as the sold-out crowd largely backing Spain erupted on a sweltering day at Los Angeles Stadium.

"There are no such things as coincidences," said Merino, who also scored a late winner as a substitute in Spain's 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Portugal. "If you go into a match well-prepared, things tend to happen again."

The last time Spain reached the semi-finals of the World Cup was in 2010, when they won the tournament.

"We are two matches away from winning the World Cup and that is what we are going after," added Merino.

European champions Spain will face tournament favourites France in Dallas on Tuesday for a spot in the final.

“We’re going to work hard to try and beat France," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. "They’ll be just as worried as we are."

SPAIN AGGRESSIVE

Spain were aggressive early on against Belgium and Fabian Ruiz gave them the lead on the half-hour mark, pouncing after Courtois made an excellent diving save to fire a shot between defender Timothy Castagne's legs and into the net.

Ruiz's goal vindicated De la Fuente's surprise decision to start the Paris St Germain midfielder in place of Pedri, who came on for Ruiz early in the