Spain beats Belgium 2-1 in World Cup quarterfinal, faces France in semifinals

Spain advanced to the 2026 World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Belgium in Los Angeles, securing a dramatic late winner from substitute Mikel Merino in the 88th minute. Fabian Ruiz gave Spain an early lead in the 30th minute, but Belgium equalized through Charles De Ketelaere's header in the 41st minute—marking Spain's first goal conceded in the tournament after five clean sheets. The decisive moment came when Merino capitalized on a critical error from Belgium's substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced injured starter Thibaut Courtois in the second half, to complete the turnaround.

Merino's goal was his second touch after entering the pitch just 117 seconds earlier, continuing a remarkable tournament pattern: he also scored a late winner against Portugal in the round of 16. The 28-year-old Arsenal midfielder has become Spain's go-to impact player in high-pressure moments, delivering when the stakes are highest. Merino himself noted the consistency, saying if preparation meets opportunity, results follow.

The match showcased Spain's technical dominance, with midfielder Rodri orchestrating play through the middle and young Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal creating multiple chances despite carrying a lingering injury. Spain maintained their unbeaten streak since March 2023, extending it to 36 matches. Luis de la Fuente's tactical discipline and player rotation have proven decisive: Spain's defense, while finally breached by Belgium, remained stout enough to secure the win in one of the tournament's most significant matches.

Spain will now face France in the semifinals in Texas on Tuesday, July 15. The fixture pits two European powerhouses against each other with a World Cup final berth on the line. France advanced by defeating Morocco 2-0 in their quarterfinal, setting up what many observers are already calling a final-before-the-final. Spain remain favorites among many analysts given their possession-based football and tournament form, though France, led by Kylian Mbappé, arrive as the defending champion and tournament favorites.