Spain Beat Belgium 2-1 to Reach 2026 World Cup Semifinals

Spain secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals, defeating Belgium 2-1 in a tense quarterfinal match. The victory, achieved on Friday, July 10, at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, marks Spain's second-ever appearance in the tournament's final four.

Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the 29th minute. After Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere equalized in the 74th minute, substitute Mikel Merino netted the decisive goal in the 88th minute. Merino, who also scored the winner in the round of 16 against Portugal, capitalized on a rebound from a save by Belgium's goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

"I've done this again, and it's happened to me again," Merino stated after the match. "If you're ready and you try, it can happen for you. I'm very pleased." Coach Luis De la Fuente praised his players, noting, "We know what these players will give us when we put them in. Pedri and Fabian are among the best players in the world."

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I've done this again, and it's happened to me again. If you're ready and you try, it can happen for you. I'm very pleased.

Belgium faced a significant blow when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an apparent injury in the 71st minute. His replacement, Lammens, could not stop Merino's late winner. The win extended Spain's unbeaten run to 36 matches, equaling Argentina's record and placing them one game shy of Italy's international record of 37 consecutive games without defeat.

Spain is set to face France in the semifinals, a clash between two European football giants vying for a place in the World Cup final.

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We know what these players will give us when we put them in. Pedri and Fabian are among the best players in the world. We make decisions based on the opponent and where each player can contribute the most.