World Cup Headliner | Spain's Late Winner Sends Off a Golden Generation; 36-Game Unbeaten Run Awaits France

Merino Again, Still Merino!

After coming off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Portugal in the round of 16, Merino struck the decisive goal in the 88th minute of Spain's quarterfinal against Belgium, helping Spain win 2–1 and advance. They will now face France in the semifinal.

Belgium bowed out in regret, short on luck: goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went off injured in the second half, and substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens fumbled a save to hand Merino the rebound chance. The loss also marked the definitive end of Belgium's golden generation.

A Merino Who Truly Earns the "Super Striker" Tag

In the quarterfinal against Belgium, Spain again started the two youngsters Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí — the first time since Brazil in the 1958 World Cup that two under-20 players have started together in a World Cup quarterfinal. Statistics show that Yamal, aged 18 years and 362 days, became the third-youngest player ever to appear in a World Cup quarterfinal, behind only Pelé (17 years, 239 days) and Morocco midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi (18 years, 280 days), who played the day before.

Although Yamal registered no goals or assists in this match, he led several statistical categories: no player had more touches in the box than Yamal (12), more shots than Yamal (6), or more successful dribbles than Yamal (4). By the end of the first half, he had become the first player at this World Cup to complete more than 20 dribbles.

Cubarsí was equally impressive; it was his long-range strike from outside the box that forced Lammens to fumble, setting up Merino's rebound winner. Merino had only come on for Dani Olmo in the 86th minute and needed just 115 seconds to score the rebound — netting a near-last-gasp winner for the second consecutive match.

Statistics show Merino became the fastest substitute to score on his World Cup debut for Spain; the previous record holder was Enrique Saura, who scored 159 seconds after coming on against Yugoslavia on June 20, 1982. He is also the first player in World Cup history to come off the bench in the knockout stage and score two match-winning goals. Two years ago, Merino also scored in extra time against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal — also as a substitute.

"How does it feel? I still can't believe it. Having experienced something like this once… I thought it wouldn't happen again anytime soon, yet here it is again. It seems there are no coincidences in this world — as long as you are prepared, the opportunity will come again. I am overjoyed."

Merino admitted the winner felt wonderful: "Who wouldn't like this? Yes, I am extremely, extremely happy to have won this match. Clearly, this is an enormous step forward for our whole team. To set foot on the semifinal stage again after 16 years is truly, truly special. And on a personal level, I am absolutely thrilled to the max — in two consecutive matches, I have scored two crucial last-gasp winners."

Head coach Luis de la Fuente praised him after the match: "Merino has many strengths; he is a world-class player. He fits this tactical system perfectly. We are fortunate to have him. Whenever we need him, he is always there."

Spain to Face France in the Semifinal

After winning this match, Spain set several records: the team has now gone 36 consecutive games unbeaten, with a record of 27 wins and 9 draws (penalty shootouts counted as draws), breaking the club's previous longest unbeaten streak (set between February 2007 and June 2009). Among European national teams, only Italy has had a longer unbeaten run, remaining undefeated for 37 consecutive matches between 2018 and 2021.

Spain's total goals at this tournament reached 11, equaling the national team's record for most goals in a single World Cup. Spain's previous single-tournament World Cup record was also 11 goals, set at the 1986 Mexico World Cup. In that edition, Spain played five matches, recording 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, scoring 11 goals, and were ultimately eliminated by Belgium on penalties in the quarterfinals.

This is also Spain's third appearance in a World Cup semifinal. Spain first reached the World Cup's final four at the 1950 World Cup, but that tournament had no semifinals or final; the four finalists played a round-robin group, where Spain drew with Uruguay and lost to Brazil and Sweden, finishing fourth. At the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Spain's match against Germany was the team's first-ever World Cup semifinal; thanks to Carles Puyol's headed goal, Spain beat Germany 1–0 to reach the final and went on to win the World Cup.

Under De la Fuente, Spain have an unbeaten record of 12 wins and 1 draw across the World Cup and European Championship (penalty shootouts counted as draws). According to statistics, De la Fuente has now become the head coach with the most matches managed without ever losing in World Cup and European Championship history, surpassing former Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal and former France manager Aimé Jacquet.

Spain's opponent in the World Cup semifinal is France. The last time Spain met France at a World Cup was in 2006, when Spain lost 1–3 to France, with goals from Ribéry, Vieira and Zidane. Notably, that match was also Spain's only loss within 120 minutes in a World Cup knockout game since 2002. Yet in the European Championship semifinal two years ago, Spain came from behind to beat France 2–1, advancing to and ultimately winning the final.

"I reiterate that I am proud to coach such a committed team. We deserved to win more comfortably, but you have to understand how difficult it was to win this match." Regarding the semifinal against France, De la Fuente said, "We will give our all to beat France; this will be one great team facing another great team."

Speaking of the upcoming opponent France, Yamal was even more direct: "I think if any team should be afraid, it should be them, because we are the ones who eliminated them (at the Euros). Of course, we are two great teams, so we'll see what happens next, but we have no fear at all."

(Translator's note: This is an English translation of the first portion of the original Chinese report, covering roughly the first 2,000 characters. The full article continues beyond this point.)