Spain booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a closely contested quarter-final played at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday.
Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute after reacting quickest to a rebound from Dani Olmo’s effort. Belgium responded before the interval as Charles De Ketelaere headed home following a well-worked move involving Kevin De Bruyne, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.
The second half produced chances at both ends, with Spain controlling much of the possession while Belgium remained dangerous on the counterattack. The match took a decisive turn when Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a thigh injury late in the game, leaving substitute Senne Lammens between the posts.
Spain capitalised almost immediately. Midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench to score the winner in the 88th minute after Lammens spilled a shot into his path, sealing a dramatic victory for the European champions. Merino had also scored Spain’s decisive goal in the Round of 16 victory over Portugal.
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Belgium pressed for a late equaliser through Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, but Spain held firm to secure a place in the last four. The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 37 matches and sent them into their first World Cup semi-final since winning the tournament in 2010.
Spain will now face France in the semi-finals on July 14 after the French side eliminated Morocco 2-0 in the other quarter-final.
