Spain's super-sub habit is becoming the defining story of this World Cup.
Spain vs Belgium produced another late knockout twist as Mikel Merino inspired La Roja to a 2-1 victory, sending Luis de la Fuente's side into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Four days after deciding the last-16 clash against Portugal, the Arsenal midfielder came off the bench again and struck the decisive goal in the 88th minute, punishing a rebound after Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold Pau Cubarsí's shot.
The quarter-final in Inglewood, California, looked destined for extra time after Fabián Ruiz's opener had been cancelled out by Charles De Ketelaere before the break. Instead, Merino delivered another decisive cameo, securing Spain's first World Cup semi-final appearance since their 2010 triumph and setting up a heavyweight meeting with France.
Fabián Ruiz rewards Spain's early control
Spain dominated possession from the opening whistle and eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Ruiz reacted quickest inside the penalty area after Belgium failed to clear their lines, finishing confidently to reward Spain's sustained pressure.
Belgium responded with admirable resilience rather than retreating deeper. In the 41st minute, Charles De Ketelaere rose to head home after a flowing move involving Kevin De Bruyne and Timothy Castagne, ending Spain's remarkable run without conceding at the tournament. Suddenly, the contest had changed.
"Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute after coming on as a substitute."
Merino's decisive cameo changes everything
Here's the part nobody's saying out loud: Spain are no longer relying solely on brilliant football. They're mastering tournament football.
Belgium's resistance suffered a major setback when Thibaut Courtois left injured during the second half, forcing Senne Lammens into action. Spain continued probing without creating clear chances until De la Fuente turned once again to Merino. It felt familiar. It proved decisive again.
Just two minutes after entering, Merino reacted quickest when Lammens spilled Cubarsí's effort, calmly finishing from close range in the 88th minute. Belgium nearly forced extra time through Romelu Lukaku late on, but Spain defended their advantage to reach the last four. The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore: when knockout matches tighten, Merino finds a way.
Merino's impact extends beyond one goal. Against Portugal he scored a 91st-minute winner after replacing a tiring midfielder. Against Belgium he repeated the trick within minutes of entering. Critics may argue fortune has favoured Spain through goalkeeping errors, yet elite tournament teams consistently punish those mistakes. Spain have done exactly that.
France await after Spain pass another knockout test
Spain's reward is arguably the toughest challenge of the tournament. France await in the semi-finals after La Roja extended their outstanding unbeaten run under Luis de la Fuente and reached their first World Cup semi-final since lifting the trophy in South Africa 16 years ago.
Officially, Spain will point to collective balance, tactical discipline and squad depth. Those arguments are fair. Yet the evidence now suggests something more specific. Merino has become the knockout specialist every title-winning side seems to discover during major tournaments. Two substitute appearances. Two decisive goals. That isn't coincidence anymore.
France possess greater attacking firepower on paper, but Spain have repeatedly shown they don't need to dominate scorelines to control tournaments. If Merino continues producing these decisive moments, Spain will believe another World Cup final is within reach.