FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals: Spain vs Belgium Match Report – Merino Heroics Send Spain Into Semi-Finals After 2-1 Win Over Belgium

Mikel Merino was the hero once again for Spain as his 88th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory over Belgium in Los Angeles and booked their ticket to the World Cup semi-finals.

Fabián Ruiz put Luis de la Fuente’s side in front after half an hour, having been promoted to the starting lineup in place of Pedri. However, Charles De Ketelaere became the first player to score against Spain at this tournament late in the first half. It looked as though extra time would be required as Belgium produced a resolute defensive performance, but an injury to Thibaut Courtois in the second half proved costly. Manchester United’s Senne Lammens replaced Courtois and was at fault for the decisive goal, spilling Pau Cubarsí’s drive at the feet of the grateful Merino.

Spain are the first reigning UEFA European Championship holders to reach the semi-final stage of the FIFA World Cup since La Roja themselves in 2010.

Match Overview

Pre-Match and First Half: Spain’s Dominance and De Ketelaere’s Shock

Belgium suffered a blow even before kick-off as captain Youri Tielemans was injured in the warm-up, with the returning Kevin De Bruyne taking the armband. Rudi Garcia’s team defended well early on, but their resistance was broken by Fabián Ruiz, who finished on the follow-up – via a deflection off Timothy Castagne – after Thibaut Courtois made a strong save to deny Dani Olmo.

The sequence ran from Pau Cubarsí to Pedro Porro to Lamine Yamal, then back to Porro. Spain’s control was evident from the outset, with possession heavily in their favor.

Having been involved in the build-up to that goal, Lamine Yamal then started to come to the fore, working Courtois from a dangerous free-kick and curling another attempt wide of the near post.

But De Ketelaere struck against the run of play four minutes before half-time, getting across Cubarsí to nod Castagne’s right-wing delivery beyond Unai Simón. Charles De Ketelaere’s 41st-minute equalizer for Belgium ended a run of 649 minutes without conceding a goal at the FIFA World Cup for Spain. De Ketelaere has now equalled Romelu Lukaku and Jan Ceulemans as Belgium’s top goalscorers in FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches (all 3).

Second Half: Courtois’ Injury and Late Drama

Maxim De Cuyper lashed into the side netting as Belgium’s confidence continued to grow at the start of the second half. However, they received a setback when Courtois – having denied Mikel Oyarzabal at his near post – sustained an apparent thigh injury on the 71st minute and went off in tears. Senne Lammens replaced Courtois and became the first goalkeeper to play for Belgium at the FIFA World Cup other than Thibaut Courtois since Geert De Vlieger vs Brazil in 2002.

Lammens’ unfortunate moment came with stoppage time looming. Cubarsí’s 20-yard drive proved too hot to handle, and Spain substitute Merino fired into the roof of the net in the 88th minute. It was the second winning goal Merino had scored in the knockout stages for Spain at this World Cup, both coming as a substitute late in matches.

Goal Summary

Key Match Statistics

Spain’s Control and Possession Dominance

Spain controlled where and how the game was played. They completed 598 of 665 passes and entered the final third 64 times, turning long spells of circulation into territory. Their final-third phase accuracy stood at 85% (229 of 271), providing the sort of platform that keeps a defense parked deep and busy.

That control became chances. Spain led shots 17 to 5, with 8 on target to Belgium’s 2, and stacked up 42 touches in the penalty area. They also carved 10 shots inside the box and 7 from distance. The expected goals gap of 2.08 to 0.37 underlined the difference in chance quality.

Spain have now had more possession than their opponents in 28 consecutive FIFA World Cup games, twice as long as the next longest run on record since 1966 (Brazil 14, 1966-1974).

Midfield Platform and Width

Rodri posted a commanding shift at the base, completing 98 of 104 passes and logging two key passes. He led Spain in touches with 118. Around him, Spain’s fullbacks and wingers kept Belgium running. Porro had 101 touches and 75 passes with two tackles won, while Yamal was a persistent outlet with 6 shots, 2 key passes, and 27 ball carries.

Centrally, Dani Olmo connected attacks before making way on the 86th minute. Cubarsí was serene in build-up, completing 89 of 91 passes and adding five clearances. The crossing accuracy was modest at 11%, but Spain compensated with through balls, third-man runs, and repeat entries into the box.

Rodri has now made 62 line-breaking passes in the final third at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most in a single edition since Toni Kroos in 2014 (also 62).

Belgium’s Resilient Defense and Aerial Strength

Rudi Garcia’s side leaned on compactness, direct outlets, and strong work in the air. Belgium won the aerial duel share at 63% and stacked 33 clearances to Spain’s 15. They also posted 10 interceptions to Spain’s 4, with defenders Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele combining for 16 clearances. Nicolas Raskin battled for second balls, making 9 recoveries and a last-man tackle, while Jeremy Doku carried them upfield with 131 meters of progressive carrying distance.

Belgium’s best attacking moment was precise rather than plentiful. Castagne’s measured cross and De Ketelaere’s header were executed perfectly. Beyond that, Belgium produced just 5 total shots and 2 on target, with a team xG of 0.37. The fouls tally of 18 to Spain’s 13 told you how much work they had to do without the ball.

Player Spotlight: Lamine Yamal’s Match-Winning Display

Lamine Yamal was named Player of the Match after delivering a commanding performance on the right flank. The teenage sensation was a constant thorn in Belgium’s side throughout the 90 minutes, starting the move that led to Fabián Ruiz’s opening goal and continuing to stretch the Belgian defense with his pace and precision.

Yamal attempted 6 shots and created 2 key passes while completing 27 ball carries that kept Spain’s attacking momentum flowing. His intelligence and technical quality on the ball allowed Spain to control the tempo, and his willingness to work back defensively added balance to Spain’s attacking approach. At just 18 years old, Yamal became the first player to make more than five appearances at the FIFA World Cup while aged 18 or younger, underscoring his exceptional talent and importance to Spain’s campaign.

His performance was a masterclass in how to play on the wing at the highest level, combining defensive responsibility with creative threat and contributing to the all-around dominance that ultimately led to Spain’s progression.

Thibaut Courtois’ Outstanding Performance

Thibaut Courtois was one of the best performers on the pitch, even in defeat. He posted 4 saves in 71 minutes, including 2 from inside the box. His presence steadied Belgium in the first half as Spain’s shot count climbed. He also contributed with the ball, completing 22 of 29 passes and hitting 11 of 18 accurate long balls to relieve pressure. A punch in traffic and 4 recoveries rounded off a well-rounded showing.

When Courtois departed on the 71st minute through injury, the margins narrowed further. Lammels made two saves but was charged with the error on Merino’s winner, summing up a night where Belgium defended stoutly yet spent too long defending.

Historical Records and What’s Next

Fabián Ruiz has been directly involved in five goals across eight career starts for Spain at major tournaments (3 goals, 2 assists). Spain have set the outright longest unbeaten run in their history, now avoiding defeat in each of their last 36 matches since a 1-0 loss to Colombia in March 2024 (W27 D9).

Luis de la Fuente has now managed more games across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship without ever losing than any other manager (13 – W12 D1). Under De la Fuente, Spain have now progressed from all seven of their knockout games at major tournaments. The only manager to ever progress from their first eight such ties with a European nation is Vittorio Pozzo, who won his first eight with Italy between 1934 and 1938.

Spain have reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup for only the second time after 2010, when they went on to win the tournament in South Africa. They will face France in a mouth-watering semi-final matchup on Tuesday.

Belgium exit after becoming the first team to breach Spain’s defence in a World Cup match since La Roja lost 2-1 to Japan in the 2022 group stage. Their run of six straight clean sheets at the competition was the best-ever by any team, with their defence standing firm for 649 minutes. Excluding the third-place play-off match, Belgium have now been eliminated from each of their last four FIFA World Cup knockout stage ties against fellow UEFA nations since beating Spain on penalties at the quarter-final stage of the 1986 tournament.

Lamine Yamal (6) became the first player to make more than five appearances at the FIFA World Cup while aged 18 or younger, with Kylian Mbappé the only player to make more at the tournament as a teenager (7).

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