Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals on Friday, beating Belgium 2-1 at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood. A late strike from substitute Mikel Merino settled the contest after Belgium had clawed their way back into the game. Spain will now face France in the semifinal on Tuesday, a fixture Luis de la Fuente called “a clash of giants.”
Merino, who also scored the winner against Portugal in the round of 16, needed just two touches after coming on in the 86th minute. He pounced on a loose ball after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold a long-range effort from Pau Cubarsi. The win stretched Spain’s unbeaten run to 36 matches, one shy of Italy’s all-time record of 37.
Fabian Ruiz Breaks the Deadlock Before Belgium Level
De la Fuente made one change to his starting eleven, picking Fabian Ruiz ahead of Pedri. The decision worked early, with Ruiz converting a rebound just after the first-half hydration break to put Spain in front.
The goal followed a passing move down the right, where Lamine Yamal fed Pedro Porro, whose cross reached Dani Olmo. Thibaut Courtois saved Olmo’s shot, but the ball dropped straight to Ruiz for a simple finish.
Belgium responded before halftime. Timothy Castagne whipped in a cross that Charles De Ketelaere headed past Unai Simón, ending Spain’s scoreless run at the tournament, which had stood at 650 minutes since 2022. It was the first goal Spain had conceded at this World Cup.
Courtois Injury Opens the Door for Merino’s Winner
Belgium threatened again after the break, with Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne linking up on the counter. But Courtois, Belgium’s captain and first-choice goalkeeper, went down after making a clearance in the 71st minute. He received treatment on the pitch and initially appeared ready to continue before being replaced by Lammens.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia confirmed afterward that Courtois had suffered a muscle injury and was withdrawn as a precaution. “He was excellent throughout the World Cup, but we didn’t want his injury to get worse, and that is why we took him off,” Garcia said.
Minutes later, Lammens was beaten by Merino’s finish, sealing Spain’s progress to the last four. Belgium had already been without captain Youri Tielemans, who was ruled out before kickoff with an injury sustained in the warm-up. Tielemans had scored twice in Belgium’s 3-2 comeback win over Senegal in the round of 32 and had started every match at the tournament until Friday.
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Spain Turn Attention to France Semifinal
Spain’s win sets up a semifinal against France, who eliminated Morocco earlier in the tournament. Merino, reflecting on his second decisive goal off the bench in as many knockout games, said the pattern was becoming familiar. “I’ve done this again, and it’s happened to me again, so it would seem that coincidence exists,” he said. “If you’re ready and you try, it can happen for you.”
De la Fuente defended his squad rotation policy after the match, saying his players understood their roles regardless of whether they started. Spain will now prepare for Tuesday’s semifinal, aiming to reach their second World Cup final.
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