Spain edge Belgium to book 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France

Spain secured a dramatic place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals after edging Belgium 2-1 in an enthralling quarter-final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. A late strike from substitute Mikel Merino sealed victory for the European champions, who will now face France in one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures.

The win keeps Spain’s dream of winning a second FIFA World Cup title alive and extends an impressive run that has seen them eliminate Portugal and Belgium in successive knockout matches. The eagerly anticipated semi-final against France, inspired by captain Kylian Mbappé, promises to be one of the standout matches of the competition.

Spain dominated possession from the opening whistle, with midfielders Rodri and Fabián Ruiz dictating the tempo, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal repeatedly stretched Belgium’s defence with his pace, movement and creativity. Ruiz, who started in place of Pedri, combined effectively with Rodri to give Spain complete control during the early stages.

Belgium entered the match with significant injury concerns. Captain Youri Tielemans suffered a hamstring injury during the pre-match warm-up and was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up, adding to the absence of influential midfielder Amadou Onana, who had already been ruled out with a serious knee injury. Despite the setbacks, Belgium remained dangerous through Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and striker Charles De Ketelaere.

Spain’s early pressure finally produced the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Right-back Pedro Porro combined brilliantly with Yamal before cutting the ball back to Dani Olmo. Although goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced an excellent save to deny Olmo, the rebound fell kindly to Fabián Ruiz, who calmly slotted home to give Spain a deserved lead.

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The goal sparked an extended period of Spanish dominance as Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled possession with confidence, moving the ball fluently across midfield and forcing Belgium to spend long periods defending deep inside their own half.

Belgium, however, showed remarkable resilience. Against the run of play in the 41st minute, Kevin De Bruyne released Timothy Castagne down the right flank. Castagne delivered a perfectly weighted cross that was met by Charles De Ketelaere, whose powerful header beat Unai Simón after he outmuscled defender Pau Cubarsí. The equaliser was particularly significant as it ended Spain’s run without conceding a goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Red Devils nearly completed a stunning turnaround moments before half-time when De Ketelaere launched a quick counterattack, but Dani Olmo recovered superbly to intercept a dangerous pass intended for the unmarked Jeremy Doku.

Spain resumed their dominance after the interval. Lamine Yamal became increasingly influential, creating several dangerous opportunities, including a teasing cross that almost found Mikel Oyarzabal, only for Courtois to rush off his line and make another crucial intervention.

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia introduced experienced striker Romelu Lukaku in search of a winning goal, while Spain continued to pile on the pressure. Belgium appealed for a penalty after a cross struck Rodri’s arm inside the penalty area, but the referee judged the contact to be accidental and allowed play to continue.

The contest took another dramatic twist in the 70th minute when Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury. His replacement, Senne Lammens, was immediately thrust into one of the biggest moments of his young international career.

Spain finally found the decisive breakthrough in the 88th minute. Defender Pau Cubarsí unleashed a low shot from distance that Lammens failed to gather cleanly. Mikel Merino, displaying his trademark instinct inside the penalty area, reacted quickest to the loose ball and rifled the rebound into the net to send the Spanish supporters into celebration.

Merino’s latest heroics continued his outstanding impact as a substitute during the knockout rounds. The Arsenal midfielder had already scored the dramatic extra-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, and his latest decisive contribution once again highlighted Spain’s remarkable squad depth.

Belgium refused to surrender and nearly forced extra time in stoppage time when Alexis Saelemaekers burst into the penalty area but was unable to find Lukaku in front of an open goal, allowing Spain to survive one final scare.

At the final whistle, Spain celebrated another memorable victory as players embraced on the pitch before quickly shifting their attention to Tuesday’s highly anticipated semi-final against France. Belgium’s players, meanwhile, were left heartbroken after another courageous performance ended in narrow defeat, with Courtois returning to console substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens following his costly late error.

With both Spain and France playing attractive, attacking football throughout the tournament, their semi-final showdown is widely expected to be one of the defining matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a coveted place in the final at stake.

Spain edge Belgium to book 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France

Mbappe breaks records as France defeat Morocco to reach World Cup last four

France booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco, as second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele ended the Atlas Lions’ impressive run in the tournament.

The victory sends Didier Deschamps’ side into a third consecutive FIFA World Cup semi-final, underlining France’s status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Played in Massachusetts under sweltering conditions, with temperatures hovering around 32 degrees Celsius, the quarter-final began with France immediately asserting control. Les Bleus dominated possession and created the first clear chances through Mbappe and Dayot Upamecano, forcing Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into early saves.

Despite the early pressure, Morocco gradually settled into the contest. Led by Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and a disciplined defensive line, the Atlas Lions frustrated the French attack while looking to exploit counter-attacking opportunities. However, they struggled to create meaningful chances against goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France continued to press and came close midway through the first half when Adrien Rabiot headed over from close range after a corner. Moments later, the defending champions were handed a golden opportunity after Mazraoui brought down Mbappe inside the penalty area following a swift counterattack.

After a lengthy VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot, but Mbappe failed to capitalise. His 28th-minute penalty lacked conviction and was comfortably saved by Bounou, who once again demonstrated why he remains one of the tournament’s standout goalkeepers.

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France refused to let the missed penalty affect their rhythm. Ousmane Dembele curled an effort narrowly wide before Desire Doue tested Bounou with a low drive. Just before halftime, Lucas Digne came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when his powerful strike rattled the crossbar.

The teams headed into the interval locked at 0-0, with Morocco encouraged by their resilience and France left to reflect on a missed opportunity.

The second half began cautiously before France’s superior quality eventually told.

In the 60th minute, Mbappe picked up possession on the left edge of the penalty area, cut inside and curled a magnificent right-footed effort beyond the fully stretched Bounou into the far corner to give France a deserved lead.

Morocco appealed for a possible handball in the build-up, but after another VAR review, the goal was allowed to stand.

Just six minutes later, France doubled their advantage. Dembele drove forward through midfield before unleashing a low shot from outside the box. Although Bounou got a hand to the effort, he could not prevent the ball from finding the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

The quick double dealt a major blow to Morocco’s hopes of staging a comeback.

Coach Mohamed Ouahbi responded with attacking substitutions, introducing Sofyan Amrabat and Abderrazak Hamdallah, but France remained composed and organised defensively.

Morocco enjoyed more possession during the closing stages but found few clear openings. Azzedine Ounahi finally forced Mike Maignan into a save late in the game, while Neil El Aynaoui headed into the side netting from a Hakimi cross, but France comfortably protected their lead.

There was a brief injury concern when Mbappe received treatment after taking a knock in the 76th minute. The France captain was later substituted as a precaution and left the field smiling, easing fears over his availability for the semi-final.

France nearly added a third goal when Bradley Barcola was denied by Bounou before substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta headed over from the resulting corner.

At the final whistle, France celebrated another disciplined knockout victory that extended their remarkable World Cup record.

The result means Les Bleus have now reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals for the third consecutive tournament while maintaining clean sheets in all three knockout matches at the 2026 finals.

The evening also marked another milestone for Kylian Mbappe, who became the youngest player to reach 20 FIFA World Cup appearances and equalled Lionel Messi’s tournament-leading tally of eight goals at the 2026 World Cup. He also matched Hugo Lloris’ record for the most World Cup appearances by a French player.

Speaking after the match, France coach Didier Deschamps praised his team’s resilience, saying their progress was built on “unshakeable belief” despite the first-half penalty miss.

Morocco, meanwhile, bowed out with pride after another memorable World Cup campaign. Although the Atlas Lions failed to register a shot on target until the closing stages, their run to the quarter-finals further reinforced the nation’s growing reputation on the global football stage ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

France will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium as they continue their pursuit of another World Cup title.

Mbappe breaks records as France defeat Morocco to reach World Cup last four

US prosecutors, FBI investigate Argentine FA over alleged money laundering, fraud

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is facing growing scrutiny after US federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a preliminary investigation into its financial activities in the United States over allegations of possible money laundering, bank fraud, and other financial crimes.

According to reports by Argentine media outlet La Nación, investigators are examining whether hundreds of millions of dollars linked to the AFA’s international commercial operations were improperly routed through the US banking system in violation of American financial laws.

The investigation, which reportedly began taking shape in 2025, is being led by officials from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) alongside FBI agents. Authorities are gathering evidence and interviewing individuals with direct knowledge of the football body’s financial dealings in the United States.

At the centre of the probe are transactions conducted during the leadership of AFA President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia and senior executive Pablo Toviggino, as investigators seek to determine whether any of the association’s commercial activities breached US regulations governing financial transparency and anti-money laundering compliance.

One of the individuals reportedly questioned by investigators is businessman Guillermo Tofoni, who is said to have participated in a three-hour virtual interview with federal prosecutors and FBI officials based in Washington, D.C., and Miami. While Tofoni has neither confirmed nor denied the meeting, reports indicate that US authorities are seeking testimony from people familiar with the management of the AFA’s international revenues and sponsorship arrangements.

Investigators are paying particular attention to TourProdEnter LLC, a Florida-based company owned by theatre producer Javier Faroni, which reportedly handled the collection of payments from several of the AFA’s international commercial agreements.

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According to documents reviewed by Argentine media, the company managed at least $260 million in revenue generated through sponsorships, broadcasting agreements, and other overseas commercial partnerships. Authorities are tracing how those funds moved through major US financial institutions, including Citibank, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, PNC Bank, and Synovus Bank, to determine whether all transactions complied with federal financial regulations.

Reports claim that while a significant portion of the funds can be linked to legitimate football and business activities, investigators are examining approximately $57 million that was allegedly transferred to various companies and beneficiaries whose economic purpose remains unclear based on available documentation. Some of the transactions under review reportedly involved companies linked to Toviggino and members of his family. However, these allegations remain unproven, and no legal findings have been made against any individual or organisation involved.

The investigation is also examining how revenue from major international sponsorship agreements was processed through the US financial system. Among the commercial partnerships reportedly under review are contracts involving global brands and media companies that have commercial relationships with Argentine football. Prosecutors are seeking to establish whether the movement of funds through US-based entities and banking institutions complied with federal laws governing financial reporting, transparency, and anti-money laundering measures.

Reports further indicate that US authorities are considering interviewing former Argentine government officials who may have had oversight of, or knowledge about, aspects of the AFA’s international operations. Investigators are expected to continue collecting banking records, corporate filings, and witness testimony as part of the preliminary inquiry.

Despite the growing attention surrounding the case, it is important to note that no criminal charges have been filed against the Argentine Football Association, its executives, or TourProdEnter LLC. The investigation remains in its early stages, and US authorities have not publicly accused any individual of wrongdoing.

The US Department of Justice and the FBI have not issued detailed public comments on the matter, while the AFA has emphasised the principle of the presumption of innocence, maintaining that investigative actions do not amount to proof of criminal conduct.

The development comes at a crucial period for Argentine football as the country’s national team continues its campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing international attention both on and off the pitch.

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US prosecutors, FBI investigate Argentine FA over alleged money laundering, fraud