Spain beat Belgium late to set to World Cup semifinal vs. France

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a thrilling match, Spain triumphed over Belgium 2-1, securing their place in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a dramatic late goal.

Mikel Merino, who had previously scored the winning goal against Portugal in the round of 16, struck again in the dying moments of the match. He capitalized on a fumbled save by Belgium’s backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens to find the back of the net, sealing Spain’s victory at Los Angeles Stadium.

Spain’s Remarkable Record

This win marked Spain’s entry into the semifinals for only the second time in their history. Additionally, they extended their unbeaten streak to an impressive 36 games, just one match shy of Italy’s all-time record of 37. Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed his enthusiasm for their next matchup against France, calling it a “clash of giants.”

Merino’s decisive goal came just two minutes after he was substituted in, reinforcing his reputation as an impactful player off the bench. “If you’re ready and you try, it can happen for you,” Merino said with a smile after the match.

Belgium’s Lammens was thrust into the spotlight after first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to leave the field due to injury in the 71st minute. Courtois was unable to save Pau Cubarsi’s long-range attempt, leading to Spain’s game-winning goal.

Spain took the lead shortly after the first half hydration break thanks to Fabián Ruiz’s opportunistic goal following a rebound. De la Fuente’s decision to start Ruiz over Pedri paid off, showcasing Spain’s depth and tactical proficiency.

Belgium’s Disappointment