Spain v Belgium - World Cup result as super sub Mikel Merino fires European champions to quarter-final victory after brutal Senne Lammens error

Mikel Merino came off the bench for the second straight match to fire Spain to victory with his late winner sinking brave Belgium 2-1 in an engrossing World Cup quarter-final battle in Los Angeles.

After striking late in a 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16, Merino repeated the dose when he walloped the ball into the net on 88 minutes after goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois on 71 minutes, spilled a long-range strike by Pau Cubarsi.

The European champions were deserving winners before a sell-out crowd in Los Angeles, but were made to work for their triumph after Charles De Ketelaere headed the equaliser on 41 minutes to cancel out Fabian Ruiz's opener on the half-hour mark.

But it should also be noted that Belgium were hampered by huge moments of bad luck due to injury.

After Amadou Onana was ruled out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the 4-1 win over the USA in the last 16, Youri Tielemans was withdrawn before kick-off due to fitness issues.

A crestfallen Courtois was then forced off injured, with captain Kevin De Bruyne also replaced in the second half due to cramp.

Their equaliser was a thing of beauty as Timothy Castagne threw over a lovely cross for De Ketelaere to net the first goal against Spain at these finals.

Fabian Ruiz had pounced for the opener after Courtois could not hold a Dani Olmo effort on a day when Luis de la Fuente's side extended their unbeaten run to a remarkable 36 matches.

Spain will face tournament favourites France in Dallas on Tuesday, arguably the ultimate test in international football, after Les Blues eased to a 2-0 victory against Morocco in the first quarter-final on Thursday.

Wayne Rooney told the BBC: "It's clearly a mistake, and as much as I'd like to defend it, it's a mistake.

"Joe Hart has spoken about the flight of the ball, but I can't really defend it. Merino has a knack of arriving at the right moment to decide games.

"When we speak about the details, you tell young defenders to always follow the ball in, as if you don't, you can be out of the tournament."

Micah Richards told the BBC: "It's always difficult for any player, especially a game of this magnitude [to be subbed on at short notice], but as a goalkeeper you're not fully warmed up. He just can't get hold of it.

"You want to see a winner from good combinations or a worldie, but he just wasn't ready."

Laporte is late on Jeremy Doku and then Rodri takes a dull one from Witsel. Clock the big enemy for Belgium now as Merino heads clear a super cross from Raskin.

Laporte does well to make the clearance with Simon out of his own. Ball ends up back in the arms of the Spain goalkeeper after he was rounded by Alexis Saelemaekers, whose cross was poor looking for Lukaku.

Would Courtois have made the difference in keeping that ball out? Belgium have done well tonight, but just lacked the final spark in the final third.

Lammens spills the long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi and Merino follows up to slam home the rebound. Incredible finale! That is a bad mistake by the goalkeeper. Is that the winning goal?

Belgium captain Kevin de Bruyne is replaced by Alexis Saelemaekers while Dani Olmo is off and Mikel Merino is on for Spain.

But the second touch isn't as good as the first one and Seys is back to ensure he can't get a shot away. Spain with the vast majority of the ball, but Belgium look happy enough with their lot. A booking for De Bruyne for hauling down Torres.

Trying to work out if he has a future in extra-time. Game right in the balance as Spain continue to push and probe. Nico Williams can't get free inside the opponent's box as Belgium make sure the ball goes behind for a goalkick.

Nico Williams replaces Mikel Oyarzabal. One goal now would surely clinch a semi-final spot.

Belgium sitting deeper and deeper, but look comfortable in their shape as Ngoy comes up with the latest clearing challenge after Torres tried to work some room.

This time Olmo can't get on the end of a cross as Witsel arrives to smash the ball clear for Belgium. A full house of 70,492 inside the stadium for this brutal struggle in the sun.

He scampers down a flank, but can't wrap his boot around the ball as the cross flies straight out of play. Spain back in possession seconds later.

Thibaut Courtois is going to be forced off the pitch here. Looks completely devastated as he is replaced by Senne Lammens. Bitter blow for him and Belgium.

Or are we heading for extra-time in LA? Belgium go long from deep as Doku is deemed to have fouled Porro. Courtois back on his feet too.

Three minutes to take on some water and instructions from the respective coaching teams. One goal might well win this match now.

Which does not please Porro, who did not make any contact with the Belgium winger. Courtois on the deck needing some treatment to his left thigh.

The Man City midfielder seeing the ball come up and strike his arm from the Raskin cross. Not much he could have done with that before De Bruyne prompts an easy enough save from Simon.

Yamal with a lovely little pass into the path of Oyarzabal, but his driven finish is well stopped by the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

And there are three changes being made by Rudi Garcia. Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken and Maxim De Cuyper are replaced by Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Joaquin Seys.