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

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