Spain secured a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals after defeating Belgium 2–1 in the quarter-finals on 11 July 2026. A closely contested encounter saw Spain regain the lead late in the second half to eliminate Belgium and continue their unbeaten run in the tournament. The victory earned Spain a semi-final showdown with France.
Spain controlled possession for much of the opening half and were rewarded in the 30th minute when Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring. Belgium responded before the interval through Charles De Ketelaere, who finished confidently in the 41st minute to restore parity and send the teams into half-time level at 1–1.
The second half featured disciplined defending from Belgium and sustained attacking pressure from Spain. Both sides created opportunities, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough until the closing stages. With the match appearing destined for extra time, substitute Mikel Merino made an immediate impact by scoring in the 88th minute, giving Spain a crucial late advantage.
Belgium pressed for an equaliser during the remaining minutes but could not break through Spain’s defence. The final whistle confirmed Spain’s progression to the last four of the tournament, where they advanced to face France. Belgium exited the competition after a spirited performance that kept the contest finely balanced until the closing moments.
Spain’s victory highlighted their ability to remain composed in high-pressure knockout football, capitalising on their late opportunity to secure another appearance in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
Standout Performances
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain): Opened the scoring in the 30th minute.
- Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium): Equalised in the 41st minute.
- Mikel Merino (Spain): Scored the winning goal in the 88th minute after coming off the bench.
- Spain: Advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
The defining moment came in the 88th minute when substitute Mikel Merino converted Spain’s winning goal. Belgium had successfully resisted sustained pressure for much of the second half, but the late strike ultimately decided the quarter-final.
Match Statistics
- Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Round: Quarter-final
- Date: 11 July 2026
- Final Score: Spain 2–1 Belgium
- Half-time: Spain 1–1 Belgium
- Goals:
- Spain: Fabián Ruiz (30′), Mikel Merino (88′)
- Belgium: Charles De Ketelaere (41′)
- Result: Spain advanced to the semi-finals.