Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz, preferred to Pedri in the starting line-up, gave La Roja the lead in the 30th minute, converting the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had made the initial save. Belgium levelled 11 minutes later through a powerful Charles De Ketelaere header, ending Spain's remarkable run of 649 minutes without conceding at a World Cup. The second half proved much tougher for Belgium, particularly after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois broke down in tears when he appeared to suffer a thigh injury and was forced off in the 77th minute. Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was handed a difficult task in his place, but he could only parry a Spanish effort into the path of Mikel Merino, who converted the rebound to put Spain 2–1 ahead. Merino once again made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring the winner just 100 seconds after coming on, much as he did against Portugal. Spain will now face France in only their second-ever World Cup semi-final. Their only previous appearance came in 2010, when they went on to lift the trophy.