Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium at SoFi Stadium on Friday, July 10.
La Roja looked set for a comfortable evening after Fabián Ruiz gave them the lead in the 29th minute. Dani Olmo’s effort was blocked inside the box and Ruiz reacted quickest to smash home his first goal of the tournament.
Belgium responded before half-time through Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st minute. The goal was significant as it ended Spain’s 649-minute clean sheet and marked the first time Spain had conceded at the World Cup.
The quarter-final looked destined for extra time until substitute Mikel Merino struck again late. In the 88th minute, defender Pau Cubarsí’s long-range shot was spilled by Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had just replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois. Merino pounced to net what proved to be the winner.
It was the second time in two matches that Merino rescued Spain as a super-sub, having scored a stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16.
The result extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 35 matches in all competitions, matching the longest streak in their history. They are also unbeaten in 12 straight games against Belgium, with six consecutive wins.
Spain now reaches the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010.
Spain will face France in the semi-final on Tuesday, July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Coach Luis de la Fuente said after the match: “We are two matches away from winning the World Cup and that is what we are going after”.
For Belgium, the defeat was compounded by injuries. Midfielder Amadou Onana was already out with an ACL issue, while Youri Tielemans and Courtois also picked up knocks during the match.
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