Super-sub Mikel Merino was the hero once again, scoring a dramatic 88th-minute winner to guide Spain into the World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday.Spain now take on tournament favorites France in a blockbuster semi-final clash in Dallas on Tuesday. “It will be a clash of giants,” said Spanish coach Luis De La Fuente after the game.The decisive moment came just two minutes after Merino entered the pitch. In the 88th minute, Pau Cubarsí unleashed a powerful long-range strike. Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens pounced on the rebound, allowing Arsenal to attack and slot the ball home with his second touch of the game. Merino previously scored a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the Round of 16.It was a disappointing end for Belgium, who lost star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a thigh injury in the 71st minute. Courtoi left the field in tears and was replaced by Lammens.Earlier, Spain broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro combined well on the right flank to set up Dani Olmo. While Courtois blocked Olmo’s initial shot, Fabián Ruiz was perfectly positioned to grab the rebound. Ruiz was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI, replacing Pedri.Spain’s defensive strength was on full display, having kept five consecutive clean sheets before this match. Goalkeeper Unai Simón went a World Cup-record 650 minutes without conceding. However, that historic streak ended in the 41st minute when Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere crossed for Cubarsí to head home a precise cross from Timothy Castagne.Belgium suffered pre-match blows with Amadou Onana injured and skipper Youri Tielemans pulled during warm-ups, although Kevin De Bruyne returned to the lineup. Despite a desperate late surge led by Romelu Lukaku, Aymeric Laporte produced a crucial acrobatic clearance in stoppage time to seal victory for Spain.With this victory, Spain extended their incredible unbeaten run to 37 games, while Belgium’s 18-game undefeated streak ended.