Merino the unlikely hero again as Spain reach the semis, but Yamal show still awaits

Mikel Merino once again came off the bench to score the difference-making goal that sent Spain through to the World Cup semi-finals. Introduced in the closing stages of the match against Belgium, Merino brought fresh legs and physical power to the attacking line, stretching the opposition's defence before finding the goal that decided the game.

This marks the second time in the tournament that Merino has played a similar role. In earlier rounds, the player entered as a substitute and produced decisive goals at critical moments, making him a defining figure in Spain's progress through the competition. The head coach said Merino's consistency in this role could no longer be dismissed as coincidence, calling him a genuine tactical weapon.

Belgium managed to press their opponents throughout much of the match, but a defensive error late on ended the tournament run of a squad long described as a golden generation. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens' critical mistake proved to be the turning point that decided the game, and Belgium's players left the pitch with visible disappointment.

Another major talking point from the match was the tournament performance of Spain's young star Lamine Yamal. The teenager has yet to fully replicate in the tournament the extraordinary form he showed throughout the club season, and fans and pundits alike are still waiting for his real breakout moment.

Experts attribute Yamal's relatively quiet tournament to the intense marking he faces from opposing teams. In every match he plays, the young forward draws the specific attention of two or even three opposing players, making it harder for him to display his individual creativity.

Despite that, Spain's collective team performance has continued to deliver results regardless of fluctuations in individual displays. The head coach stressed that the team's greatest strength is not relying on a single star, but rather having different players step up in different matches.

In the semi-final, Spain will face France, widely regarded as one of the tournament's form teams. The clash between the two sides stands out as one of the most anticipated matches of the competition, with the attacking depth on both sides expected to make for a fast-paced encounter.

Spanish media are hoping Yamal can finally deliver the performance expected of him in the match against France. The player's ability to shine in big matches at club level is being cited as the basis for that expectation.

With this second decisive goal of the tournament, Merino has begun to be remembered as one of the most important substitutes in Spanish World Cup history. His teammates describe his consistency in this role as "incredible."

Spain's progression to the semi-final has reignited football passion across the country, with fans saying that reaching the final would mark one of the team's greatest achievements in recent years.