Spain advance to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday. The match is decided late, as Mikel Merino scores the decisive goal to send La Roja through to a semi-final showdown with France on Tuesday. All accounts describe a hectic game at SoFi Stadium where Belgium fight back after initially going behind. Spain take the lead through Fabian Ruiz’s first-half strike, and Belgium equalize later when Charles De Ketelaere levels the score. Sources also point to a goalkeeping error by Senne Lammens as a key factor in the outcome, with the late winner coming after Belgium’s keeper is involved in the game’s decisive moment. The result leaves Spain, described as European champions, preparing to face France, who are characterized as having emerged as tournament favorites. Overall, the sources agree on the scoreline, the late nature of Spain’s winning goal, and the semi-final matchup against France.