The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash between Spain and Belgium delivered a rollercoaster of drama, emotion and high stakes at Los Angeles Stadium, with a last-gasp 88th-minute goal from substitute Mikel Merino securing a tense 2-1 win for Spain that booked La Roja’s spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Spain got off to a flying start, asserting their signature control of possession and pinning Belgium back in their own half from the opening whistle. Their pressure paid off in the 30th minute, when a crisp, well-orchestrated combination down the left flank opened up Belgium’s defense, allowing Fabian Ruiz to break the deadlock and put Spain ahead. The clinical finish lifted Spanish spirits and sent their traveling supporters into celebration, giving La Roja a valuable early foothold in the match.
Far from crumbling under the early setback, Belgium responded rapidly just after the first hydration break. Charles De Ketelaere rose above the Spanish defense to power a stunning header into the back of the net, not only leveling the score but also ending Spain’s impressive 600-plus minute unbeaten streak without conceding a goal. The equalizer breathed new life into Belgium, turning the match into a tightly contested, tactically intense battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats for the rest of the game.
The second half saw tensions climb, with both sides creating half-chances but failing to find a breakthrough. The match’s most heartbreaking moment came in the 72nd minute, when Belgium’s star goalkeeper and defensive lynchpin Thibaut Courtois suffered an injury that forced him off the pitch in tears. Young replacement Senne Lammens, called up from Manchester United and thrown abruptly into the biggest match of his young career, struggled under the intense pressure and made several uncharacteristic critical mistakes.
It was in this chaotic final phase that Spain pounced. Merino, who had already built a reputation as a reliable impact substitute throughout the tournament, reacted quickly to a rebound after a Lammens save, cooly slotting the ball home to put Spain ahead with just two minutes left in regulation. The late strike proved decisive, securing Spain’s passage to the semi-finals. Spanish players and supporters erupted in celebration, while Belgium was left to process a devastating, narrow defeat. In a show of sportsmanship, a disappointed Courtois still stepped forward to console his young replacement, who retained the full support of his teammates despite the late error.
This victory marks only the second time in Spanish history that the men’s national team has reached a World Cup semi-final – their first trip to the final four came in 2010, the year they lifted their only World Cup trophy. While Spain did not play the flashy, dominant football they are known for throughout this knockout clash, their patience and clinical efficiency in critical moments won out the day. For Belgium, the defeat marks the likely end of the road for the nation’s celebrated “Golden Generation” of stars including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, who are expected to retire from World Cup competition after this tournament. Though they never claimed the World Cup title they chased for years, the group leaves behind a lasting legacy of skill, passion and fighting spirit that will be remembered fondly by Belgian football fans.
Spain will next face France in the World Cup semi-final, as they chase a second world title 16 years after their historic 2010 win. For Belgium, the tournament ends in heartbreak, but their fighting performance through the knockout stage cements the reputation of an unforgettable generation of talent.