Ultimately, this high-stakes encounter near Hollywood lights faithfully mirrored the storied bracket of 1994, leaving the World Cup poised for further high-drama fixtures.

Mikel Merino, who smashed in the World Cup quarterfinal winner against Belgium in the 88th minute on Saturday, said it was "surreal" to have scored a late winner in two straight knockout games for Spain.

Mikel Merino is becoming the player who finds the net exactly when Spain need him most, and the substitute did it for a second straight knockout tie as La Roja beat Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal in Los Angeles today.

Super sub Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and sent Spain through to a World Cup semi-final against France with a late goal in a gripping 2-1 win on Friday.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ended with a Spanish sting in the tail, courtesy of Mikel Merino's last-gasp winner that earned a 1-0 round-of-16 win on Monday, but he was unwilling to make a hasty call on his international future.

Ten-man Chelsea held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in a highly charged top-of-the-table London derby on Sunday, Mikel Merino cancelling out Trevoh Chalobah's Chelsea opener to spare the Premier League leaders' blushes.

Arsenal defender Gabriel headed a stoppage-time winner from a corner to secure his side a 2-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday and close the gap on leaders Liverpool to two points with a stunning late show.

Arsenal’s hero in their 3-0 Champions League first-leg quarterfinal triumph against Real Madrid, Declan Rice, revealed he had ignored specific instructions from set-piece coach Nicolas Jover before scoring two sensational free-kicks at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.  

Arsenal completed the signing of Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on Tuesday.