Spain faces France in World Cup semifinal after dramatic Belgium win

Spain reached the World Cup semifinal after defeating Belgium 2-1 on Friday, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. Spain will face France in Dallas on Tuesday in a rematch of two recent competitive tournaments, where Spain notably won both encounters. Despite France appearing as tournament favorites, Spain's recent head-to-head success and defensive dominance have given them confidence in the high-stakes clash.

Quick Facts

Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in World Cup quarterfinals
Mikel Merino scored winning goal in 88th minute
Fabian Ruiz opened scoring for Spain
Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium
Spain and France set for World Cup semifinal

Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinal with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Belgium at SoFi Stadium on Friday, setting up a heavyweight clash against tournament favorites France in Dallas on Tuesday. Mikel Merino's 88th-minute goal proved decisive, after Fabian Ruiz had given Spain an early lead. Belgium equalized through Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st minute, but Spain's relentless possession and control ultimately prevailed despite a late scare.

The semifinal matchup represents a rematch of recent competitive encounters between the two European powerhouses. Spain defeated France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinals and again won 5-4 in the 2025 Nations League semifinals. Spain's 37-match unbeaten streak in competitive play since March 2023 contrasts with France's dominant tournament performance, where Kylian Mbappé has scored 8 goals and France has conceded only 2 goals across six matches while scoring 16.

Spain's defensive strength has been remarkable throughout the tournament. Goalkeeper Unai Simon set a World Cup record with 649 consecutive scoreless minutes before Belgium's goal on Friday—the first goal Spain conceded in the entire tournament. Young star Lamine Yamal, who will turn 19 on Monday, has been instrumental in Spain's attack, while the team's midfield depth, showcased by Fabian Ruiz's unexpected start and Mikel Merino's impact from the bench, demonstrates the squad's versatility.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente expressed confidence despite facing the tournament's most formidable opponent. France comes into the semifinal having won all but one match by double digits and making back-to-back World Cup finals, with a 3-1 victory over Spain in their only prior World Cup knockout encounter in 2006. However, De la Fuente emphasized Spain's awareness of their own quality and recent success against France, calling it "a great matchup between two of the best teams in the world."

The semifinal takes place on Tuesday, July 14 at Dallas Stadium at 2 p.m. CT, with the winner advancing to the World Cup final scheduled for July 19 at New York-New Jersey Stadium. The match falls on Bastille Day, France's national holiday. Mbappé's potential showdown with Spain's dynamic attacking unit, led by Yamal and Oyarzabal, promises to be a pivotal encounter in the tournament.

Topics

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#World Cup semifinal #FIFA World Cup 2026 #soccer #Belgium #semifinal #Mbappé #Mikel Merino #Spain football #World Cup 2026 #quarterfinal

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Why This Matters

Spain's advancement reshapes World Cup semifinal dynamics in a tournament where France entered as favorites. The matchup carries immediate strategic weight: Spain's unbeaten run, defensive solidity, and recent head-to-head success against France create genuine upset potential in a high-stakes knockout match. For viewers and bettors, this semifinal represents a direct challenge to pre-tournament expectations and offers a concrete test of whether recent form and confidence can overcome perceived tournament favorites.

Timeline & Sources

Jul 10, 2026

Wire

Spain defeats Belgium 2-1 in quarterfinals, advances to semifinal

Jul 10, 2026

Wire

France defeats Morocco in quarterfinals, advances to semifinal

Jul 19, 2026

Wire

World Cup final at New York-New Jersey Stadium, 2 p.m. CT

Jul 19, 2026

Wire

World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium (2 p.m. CT)