Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Spain have advanced into the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup after they claimed a hard-earned 2-1 win over Belgium at the Los Angeles Stadium on Friday.
La Roja secured this quarterfinal victory thanks to a late strike from Mikel Merino (who also scored the winner in their victory over Portugal in the previous round), setting up a mouthwatering clash with France in the semifinals, set for Dallas next Tuesday.
For Belgium, it was a heartbreaking end. The Red Devils failed to reach the last four for the second successive World Cup, and the defeat may mark the final chapter for the remaining members of their golden generation — Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Axel Witsel.
Spain asserted control and dominant ball possession from the outset and deservedly took the lead on the half-hour mark. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois parried Dani Olmo’s low shot into Fabián Ruiz’s path, and the PSG midfielder calmly slotted home his seventh international goal to give La Roja a 1-0 advantage.
However, Belgium looked dangerous on the counter and leveled matters in the 41st minute through the in-form Charles De Ketelaere. The Atalanta forward clinically finished his third goal in two World Cup matches after a clever assist from Timothy Castagne, sending the teams into the break tied at 1-1.
La Roja pushed hard to regain their lead after the restart, with Mikel Oyarzabal — Spain’s top scorer in the tournament with four goals — eager to add his name to the scoresheet. The Real Sociedad captain was denied from close range in the 63rd minute by Courtois, who was unfortunately substituted just eight minutes later due to injury.
As Spain continued to press for a winner, coach Luis de la Fuente introduced Mikel Merino, the hero who had scored the dramatic late winner against Portugal in the Round of 16. The Arsenal star delivered once again: he pounced on the rebound after substitute keeper Senne Lammens failed to deal with a shot, slotting home in the 88th minute to seal a 2-1 victory for Spain.
Spain (1) 2 (Ruiz 30', Merino 88')
Belgium (1) 1 (De Ketelaere 41')
Spain: Unai Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz (Pedri 55'); Yamal, Dani Olmo (Merino 86'), Alex Baena (Torres 55'); Oyarzabal (Williams 79').
Belgium: Courtois (Lammens 71'); Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper (Seys 61'); Raskin, Vanaken (Lukaku 60'), De Bruyne (Saelemaekers 86'); Doku, De Ketelaere, Trossard (Witsel 60').
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