Spain booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Belgium in a tense quarter-final at SoFi Stadiu
Spain booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Belgium in a tense quarter-final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute to send Spain through to face France in Dallas on Tuesday. It was a cruel way for Belgium’s run to end, having reached the last eight for the first time since 2018, when they finished third.
Spain broke the deadlock through Fabián Ruiz, who pounced in the 30th minute after Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois failed to hold onto his initial save. Belgium responded before the break, with Charles De Ketelaere levelling matters late in the first half to set up a frantic second period.
The game shifted further in Spain’s favour when Courtois was forced off with an apparent injury in the 73rd minute and replaced by Manchester United’s Senne Lammens, who was thrown straight into the fire as Spain continued to press. Spain finished the match with 16 shots on goal to Belgium’s five, a reflection of their control for long spells.
The breakthrough eventually came dramatically. Lammens parried a shot from Pau Cubarsí in the 88th minute, but Merino reacted quickest to turn the rebound home and hand Spain the lead they would not relinquish. It continued a remarkable habit for the Arsenal midfielder, who has developed a knack for scoring vital late goals as an impact substitute for La Roja.
Belgium’s misfortune was compounded by an injury blow before kickoff, as they were without captain Youri Tielemans, who was ruled out with an injury suffered in the warm-up.
The result extends an extraordinary run for the European champions, who, according to FIFA, have not lost a match in regulation time in 35 games, a streak stretching back to March 2024, while Spain have yet to concede a single goal through five matches at this tournament.
Spain will now turn their attention to a mouth-watering last-four meeting with France in Dallas on Tuesday, in what many are already billing as the unofficial final ahead of the July 19 showpiece, with a second World Cup crown — 16 years after their first — now firmly within sight.
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