On Friday, Spain secured a place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals by defeating Belgium 2-1, in a dramatic quarterfinal match held at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The Spanish team clinched their victory with a last-minute comeback.
The scoreline and match dynamics revealed Spain's dominance throughout the game, although they had to wait until the 88th minute to seal the win.
Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the initial lead in the 30th minute with a goal. However, Belgium's star player Charles De Ketelaere, who had previously shone with a brace against the United States in the Round of 16, equalized in the 41st minute, leaving the teams level at halftime.
Despite Spain's overwhelming control in the second half, boasting 69% possession, 16 shots compared to Belgium's mere five, and seven shots on target to the Belgians' two, the match remained tied.
Key Substitution Shapes Match Outcome
One notable moment came when Belgium's starting goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, was unexpectedly substituted for Lammens in the 71st minute, a change that influenced the game's conclusion.
The decisive moment occurred in the 88th minute. Mikel Merino, who had just replaced Dani Olmo two minutes earlier, scored the goal that broke Belgium's defense and ignited Spanish celebrations.
Merino had previously demonstrated his knack for crucial goals, having scored the last-minute winner against Portugal in the Round of 16 on July 6, establishing himself as Spain's most pivotal player in the tournament.
Spain Faces France in Semifinals
Belgium, who had reached the quarterfinals after a 4-1 victory over the United States, is now out of the tournament. In contrast, Spain continues its journey as one of the competition's standout teams, having topped Group H with seven points and no goals conceded during the group stage.
Spain's next challenge will be against France, the first semifinalist confirmed after their 2-0 win over Morocco on July 9. The Spain-France clash is scheduled for July 14 in Arlington, Texas.
FAQs about Spain's World Cup Journey
How did Spain secure their victory over Belgium?
Spain secured their victory with a last-minute goal by Mikel Merino in the 88th minute, after dominating much of the match.
Who was a standout player for Spain in the match against Belgium?
Mikel Merino was a standout player, scoring the decisive goal against Belgium and having previously netted a critical goal against Portugal in the Round of 16.
Who will Spain face in the World Cup semifinals?
Spain will face France in the World Cup semifinals, with the match scheduled for July 14 in Arlington, Texas.