Spain defeats Belgium to reach World Cup semifinals

Spain beat Belgium 2–1 in the quarter‑final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on 10 July. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium before halftime, and substitute Mikel Merino netted the winner in the 88th minute after a rebound from goalkeeper Senne Lammens’ mis‑control. The victory sends La Roja to a semi‑final clash with France in Dallas, while Belgium is eliminated. Merino’s late strike marks his second match‑winning goal of the tournament, having also scored the extra‑time winner against Portugal in the round of 16. The win prompted celebratory messages from the Spanish and Belgian royal families, and Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal warned France that “if anyone should be feared, it’s us.”