Soccer
Spain vs. Belgium player ratings: Spanish super sub steals the show once more
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Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Belgium after Mikel Merino struck two minutes after coming off the bench.
Fabián Ruiz had opened the scoring at 30 minutes before Charles De Ketelaere's header drew Belgium level, but substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens's error proved decisive when he spilled Pau Cubarsí's shot into Merino's path.
The match turned on Thibaut Courtois's thigh injury, which forced the change that ultimately cost Belgium their place in the tournament.
DAZN News rates each set of players and our player of the match:
Player of the Match
Mikel Merino (Spain)
Mikel Merino delivered match-winning impact for the second consecutive knockout round, scoring just two minutes after entering as a substitute.
When Senne Lammens failed to hold Pau Cubarsí's shot at 88 minutes, Merino reacted fastest to convert the rebound and send Spain into the semi-finals.
His timing and positioning to reach the loose ball demonstrated predatory instinct in the most pressurised moment of the contest.
Having already scored the winner against Portugal in the previous round, Merino has become Spain's most reliable weapon from the bench at this World Cup.
Spain
Unai Simón (6.8): Made early save; handled Doku's late delivery unconvincingly before recovering.
Pau Cubarsí (6.5): Composed in possession; yellow card limited second-half aggression.
Aymeric Laporte (7.2): Won aerial duels against Lukaku; tactical foul stopped Doku late.
Marc Cucurella (6.7): Provided attacking width; overlapping runs created space down the left.
Pedro Porro (7.3): Key role in opening goal; combined well with Yamal throughout.
Rodri (7.8): Controlled tempo and screened the back four with trademark composure.
Fabián Ruiz (7.5): Converted opening-goal rebound; provided effective midfield cover before substitution.
Álex Baena (6.6): Involved in combination play; delivered set pieces without decisive impact.
Dani Olmo (7.1): Shot forced save leading to opener; made vital defensive intervention.
Lamine Yamal (7.4): Created multiple big chances; denied repeatedly by Courtois.
Mikel Oyarzabal (6.4): Worked hard creating space; limited direct goalscoring impact.
Ferran Torres (6.5): Added movement after entering; header over ruled out for offside.
Pedri (6.7): Integrated smoothly at 55 minutes; maintained Spain's tempo and circulation.
Nico Williams (6.3): Fresh legs on the left; limited time reduced influence.
Mikel Merino (8.5): Scored decisive 88th-minute winner two minutes after entering.
DAZN/FIFABelgium
Thibaut Courtois (7.6): Multiple crucial saves before thigh injury forced early exit.
Maxim De Cuyper (6.4): Best Belgian chance at 55 minutes; struggled against Spanish overloads.
Brandon Mechele (6.5): Provided aerial presence; tracked runners and cleared set pieces.
Nathan Ngoy (6.6): Crucial early block on Rodri; partnered Mechele steadily at centre-back.
Timothy Castagne (7.0): Delivered assist for De Ketelaere's header with quality cross.
Hans Vanaken (6.0): Struggled to impose himself against Spain's dominant midfield control.
Nicolas Raskin (6.5): Energetic pressing; cross created chance saved by Simón.
Leandro Trossard (5.9): Limited impact; withdrawn at 60 minutes without meaningful contribution.
Kevin De Bruyne (6.3): Below expectations as playmaker; booked and substituted late.
Jérémy Doku (6.7): Primary attacking threat; direct running caused problems throughout.
Charles De Ketelaere (7.2): Headed equaliser at 41 minutes; influence faded after the interval.
Romelu Lukaku (5.8): Lost majority of duels against Laporte; couldn't establish presence.
Axel Witsel (6.0): Added experience in midfield; late challenge on Rodri earned booking.
Joaquin Seys (6.8): Tasked with marking Yamal; won several duels to limit threat.
Senne Lammens (4.5): Critical error at 88 minutes; spilled shot that led to winner.
Alexis Saelemaekers (6.2): Fresh energy late; cross created final Belgian chance.
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