Spain reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, edging Belgium 2-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, thanks to an 88th-minute goal from substitute Mikel Merino. The late strike settled a tense quarter-final and set up a last-four meeting with France in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
Spain, unbeaten through the tournament and boasting the meanest defence of the competition, dominated possession from the outset but had to work hard to break down a resolute Belgian side. Roberto Martinez's team arrived in California as one of the pre-tournament favourites, yet their preparation unravelled before kick-off when captain Youri Tielemans was withdrawn after picking up an injury in the warm-up.
The favourites took the lead in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz arrived onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and drove a low finish beyond Thibaut Courtois. Belgium responded quickly, drawing level in the 41st minute through Charles De Ketelaere, who turned in a crossed ball to send the sides into the interval on level terms after an even opening half.
Belgium's task grew harder in the second half when Courtois, one of the world's most experienced goalkeepers, was forced off through injury and replaced by Senne Lammens. The substitute keeper had been on the pitch for barely two minutes when he spilled a fierce strike from teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, and Merino reacted fastest to bundle the rebound into the net for the decisive goal.
The statistics underlined Spain's control. They held 68 percent of possession, mustered eight shots on target to Belgium's two and finished with an expected-goals figure of 1.96 against 0.34, completing nearly 600 accurate passes. Tempers frayed in stoppage time, with Aymeric Laporte of Spain and Axel Witsel of Belgium both booked as Belgium pushed for another equaliser that never came.
The result eliminated one of Europe's most talented squads and extended Spain's run as the only side yet to concede defeat at the finals. Attention now turns to Tuesday's semi-final, a heavyweight clash between Spain and defending finalists France, who defeated Morocco a day earlier. Belgium, meanwhile, exit at the quarter-final stage once again, their so-called golden generation still searching for a first major international trophy.
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