Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday. Fabian Ruiz handed La Roja the lead before Charles De Ketelaere restored parity before the break. With the contest seemingly heading towards extra time, substitute Mikel Merino struck in the 88th minute to seal Spain's place in the last four, where they will face France.
Both sides lined up in 4-2-3-1 formations, but Belgium were forced into a late reshuffle before kick-off after captain Youri Tielemans suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up. Hans Vanaken was drafted into midfield, while Kevin De Bruyne took on the captain's armband. Spain, meanwhile, made a notable tactical adjustment by pairing Fabian Ruiz alongside Rodri in midfield, opting for greater control in possession, while Lamine Yamal's pace and dribbling repeatedly stretched Belgium's defence down the right flank.
Spain's pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Pedro Porro's cutback found Dani Olmo, whose effort was parried by Thibaut Courtois. Ruiz reacted quickest to the rebound, with his strike taking a deflection before looping into the net. Belgium responded in the 41st minute through De Ketelaere, who met Timothy Castagne's cross with a powerful header beyond Unai Simon to send the sides into the interval level at 1-1.
The equaliser was the first goal Spain had conceded at the FIFA World Cup since Japan scored against La Roja in the group stage at Qatar 2022, ending Spain's run of six consecutive World Cup clean sheets..
Belgium suffered a notable setback in the 70th minute when Courtois was forced off with an apparent leg injury, leaving the field in tears. Backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens replaced the veteran as Spain continued to push for a winner. Their persistence was rewarded two minutes from time when Merino capitalised on a goalkeeping error following Pau Cubarsi's long-range effort, reacting quickest to slot home from close range and hand Spain a dramatic victory.
The match also produced a significant milestone for Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Although De Ketelaere ended his shutout streak in the first half, Simon had gone 649 consecutive World Cup minutes without conceding, breaking the long-standing men's tournament record of 517 minutes previously held by Italy's Walter Zenga.
Merino, meanwhile, etched his name into the record books by becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to come off the bench and score the winning goal in two different knockout-stage matches. The 30-year-old had previously come off the bench to net Spain's injury-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16.
Spain will now take on France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on July 14 as they continue their pursuit of a second world title.
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