Spain Secures World Cup Semi-Final Berth, Defeating Belgium in Dramatic Quarter-Final
Mikel Merino's late strike, following a goalkeeping error, sends Spain to face France in Dallas.
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Carla Rooney
Spain advanced to the World Cup 2026 semi-finals, overcoming Belgium in a tense quarter-final clash marked by injuries and a decisive late goal.
Fabian Ruiz broke the deadlock, scoring Spain's first goal after a period of sustained pressure and relentless possession.
Belgium's defense, previously unbreached in this World Cup, finally conceded.
Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium before halftime, leveling the score.
The match saw several key player changes; Thibaut Courtois sustained an injury, and Senne Lammens replaced him.
Youri Tielemans also exited before kick-off due to a hamstring injury, with Hans Vanaken stepping into the starting lineup.
Late in the game, Kevin De Bruyne left the field, replaced by Alexis Saelemaekers.
The decisive moment arrived when Senne Lammens, the substitute goalkeeper, made an error that directly led to Spain's winning goal.
Spain controlled much of the match even before Fabian Ruiz's opener, maintaining possession and pressing forward relentlessly.
Lamine Yamal nearly doubled Spain's lead with an attempt on goal, showcasing the attacking prowess of the European champions.
Despite Spain's dominance, Belgium displayed more offensive intent than many anticipated, challenging their opponents at various points.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente kept Mikel Merino on the bench for a significant portion of the game, a decision that later proved pivotal.
Slamming the ball into the roof of the net two minutes from time.
Merino scored his second World Cup knockout goal, securing the win with his left boot, slamming the ball into the roof of the net two minutes from time.
He had previously scored against Portugal in Dallas; his latest goal followed a Belgian goalkeeper error in California.
The turn of events proved particularly harsh for the Belgian team, especially after Courtois's injury, which saw him leave the field with a thigh injury 20 minutes from the end.
Senne Lammens, a capable No. 2 from Manchester United, took Courtois's place, but his inability to hold onto Pau Cubarsi’s long-range effort created a lasting image of Belgium's World Cup campaign.
European champions Spain continue their progression, extending their incredible run to 36 consecutive matches unbeaten in competitive encounters.
Their clean-sheet record, standing at 650 World Cup minutes without conceding, ended in this match when Charles De Ketelaere scored.
The 70,000-strong crowd in Los Angeles, largely dominated by Spain supporters, applauded the team's progression into the semi-finals.
These two teams had not played for a decade, and Spain remained unbeaten in 11 games against Belgium, a streak dating back to a World Cup quarter-final shootout defeat 40 years ago in Puebla City, Mexico.
In similarly sweltering conditions in Inglewood, with the match kicking off at midday, Belgium aimed for an underdog victory.
Belgium boss Rudi Garcia started Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, who were surprise omissions in the previous round against the USA.
A significant setback occurred 12 minutes before kick-off when captain Youri Tielemans injured his hamstring during the warm-up, forcing a last-minute change.
In a baking-hot first quarter, Belgium held their own against Spain, with Doku posing a constant threat on the break, weaving through defenders.
Spain capitalized on a lapse in focus from the Red Devils' defense half an hour into the match, taking the lead.
Pedro Porro exchanged a quick one-two with Yamal on the right before finding Dani Olmo in the box, whose shot Thibaut Courtois saved but could only palm out to Fabian Ruiz for the tap-in.
Yamal continued to dazzle for the next 10 minutes, evading Maxim De Cuyper and nearly scoring from a free-kick, which Courtois again palmed away.
Four minutes before the interval, Spain conceded, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring, assisted by Timothy Castagne, and Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating the play.
After the break, the game became more balanced, prompting Luis de la Fuente to make a bold double substitution, bringing on Ferran Torres and Pedri 55 minutes in.
As the second half progressed and Romelu Lukaku entered the game, Belgium posed a genuine threat on the counterattack, with a cross brushing Rodri’s hand, though no penalty was given.
The match took a dramatic turn when Courtois went down clutching his left thigh, leading to his substitution.
A cramping De Bruyne had an opening from 40 yards out with Simon out of position, but Rodri blocked the goal-bound strike.
The Belgians dropped deeper as extra time approached, but Cubarsi shot on goal unchallenged, and Lammens inexplicably let the ball scramble from his grasp.
Nearly 16 years after the 2010 generation's triumph in South Africa, this 2026 squad took another step toward their nation’s second World Cup title, facing Kylian Mbappe and the French attack in four days at the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium.
Merino, following his stoppage-time winner against Portugal, slammed home the ball to send Spain to a Tuesday date with France in Texas.
Nearly 16 years after the 2010 generation's triumph in South Africa, this 2026 squad took another step toward their nation’s second World Cup title, facing Kylian Mbappe and the French attack in four days at the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium.
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