Spain secured their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium, with Mikel Merino emerging as the match-winner in the closing stages. Luis de la Fuente's side will now face tournament favourites France in what promises to be a blockbuster last-four clash.

Spain controlled possession from the opening whistle and looked the more dangerous side throughout the first half, creating several promising opportunities before finally making the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Following a precise pass from Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo forced an excellent save from Thibaut Courtois, but the rebound fell kindly to Fabián Ruiz, whose finish took a slight deflection before finding the middle of the net.

The European giants continued to press for a second goal. Lamine Yamal, eager to get the better of his familiar El Clásico rival Courtois, tested the Belgian goalkeeper with a powerful low free-kick, only to see it brilliantly denied. Moments later, the teenage star skipped past Maxim De Cuyper and narrowly missed the near post with another dangerous effort.

Despite spending most of the first half on the back foot, Belgium made their only clear opportunity count before the interval. Timothy Castagne delivered an inviting cross from the right, and Charles De Ketelaere rose above Pau Cubarsí to head home the equaliser. It was the first goal Spain had conceded at the tournament, bringing an impressive 650-minute clean-sheet streak to an end.

Belgium nearly completed the turnaround shortly after the restart. A flowing attacking move created space for Maxim De Cuyper, whose powerful strike flashed just wide of the post in the 55th minute.

At the other end, Courtois once again demonstrated his world-class quality by denying both Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. However, the experienced goalkeeper picked up an injury during those crucial saves and was forced off in the 71st minute, with Matthieu Epolo Lammens taking his place.

The decisive moment finally arrived two minutes from time. Pau Cubarsí unleashed a fierce effort that Lammens could only push back into the danger area, where Mikel Merino reacted quickest to convert the rebound and send Spain into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

World Cup 2026

Spain - Belgium 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Fabian Ruiz, 30 (1:0); De Ketelaere, 41 (1:1); Merino, 88 (2:1)

Spain: Simón U.; Cubarsí; Porro; Laporte; Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz (Pedri, 55); Olmo (Merino, 86); Álex Baena (Torres F., 55); Rodri; Oyarzabal (Nico Williams, 79); Yamal
Substitution: Pedri (from 55); Torres F. (from 55); Nico Williams (from 79); Merino (from 86)
Bench: Raya; García Jo.; Pubill; Grimaldo; Garcia E.; Zubimendi; Llorente M.; Gavi; Pino Y.; Muñoz Vic.; Iglesias
Yellow Cards: Cubarsí 43; Laporte 93

Belgium: Courtois (Lammens, 71); Castagne; Mechele; De Cuyper (Seys, 60); Ngoy N.; De Bruyne (Saelemaekers, 86); De Ketelaere; Vanaken (Lukaku R., 60); Raskin; Trossard (Witsel, 60); Doku J.
Substitution: Seys (from 60); Witsel (from 60); Lukaku R. (from 60); Lammens (from 71); Saelemaekers (from 86)
Bench: Penders; De Winter K.; Theate; Meunier; Tielemans; Lukebakio; Moreira D.; Fernandez Pardo
Yellow Cards: De Bruyne 85; Witsel 95