Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals after edging Belgium 2-1 in a dramatic quarter-final that was decided by yet another late goal from Mikel Merino.
After scoring the winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, the Arsenal midfielder once again delivered when his country needed him most, finding the net in the 88th minute to seal a memorable victory and set up a heavyweight semi-final showdown against France.
Belgium pushed Spain all the way, but a late mistake proved costly as La Roja continued their pursuit of a second World Cup title.
Spain Start on the Front Foot
Spain looked confident from the opening whistle, controlling possession and forcing Belgium deep inside their own half.
Luis de la Fuente’s side patiently moved the ball through midfield, with Rodri dictating the tempo while Dani Olmo constantly found space between Belgium’s defensive lines.
Their dominance finally produced a breakthrough after half an hour.
Fabián Ruiz arrived inside the penalty area to finish from close range, giving Spain a deserved lead after a sustained period of pressure.
At that stage, it appeared La Roja were on course for a comfortable evening.
Belgium Show Their Character
Instead of collapsing, Belgium responded brilliantly.
The Red Devils became more aggressive in possession and started attacking Spain with greater confidence.
Their reward came before halftime when Charles De Ketelaere powered home an excellent header to level the match.
The equalizer transformed the contest.
Belgium defended with far greater belief after the break while continuing to threaten through quick counterattacks led by Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku.
Spain continued enjoying more possession, but clear scoring opportunities became increasingly difficult to create.
Merino Delivers Once Again
With extra time appearing inevitable, Spain found another unlikely hero.
In the 88th minute, Pau Cubarsí tested Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens with a long-range effort.
The Manchester United goalkeeper failed to hold the shot, allowing Mikel Merino to react quickest inside the six-yard box and convert the rebound.
It was another decisive contribution from the Arsenal midfielder, who has now scored match-winning goals in consecutive knockout matches after also eliminating Portugal in the previous round.
Merino’s remarkable impact from the bench continues to make him one of Spain’s most important players despite not being a regular starter.
Tactical Analysis
Spain once again dominated possession and controlled the rhythm of the match through Rodri and Fabián Ruiz.
Belgium defended compactly before looking to break quickly whenever possession changed hands.
For long periods, the tactical battle remained evenly balanced.
The decisive moment ultimately arrived through Spain’s relentless pressure.
Even after Belgium equalized, La Roja continued forcing mistakes and attacking the Belgian penalty area until Merino finally capitalized on a rare goalkeeping error.
France Await in the Semi-Finals
Spain’s victory sets up one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
La Roja will now face France in a blockbuster semi-final between two of the strongest teams remaining in the competition.
France have looked dominant throughout the World Cup, while Spain continue improving with every knockout match.
With both sides packed with world-class talent, the semi-final promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
Belgium, meanwhile, leave the competition with plenty of positives despite the disappointment.
After an inconsistent start to the tournament, the Red Devils produced several excellent performances and pushed one of the favorites until the closing minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
- Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the first half.
- Charles De Ketelaere equalized before halftime for Belgium.
- Mikel Merino scored an 88th-minute winner for the second consecutive knockout match.
- Spain will now face France in the World Cup semi-finals.
Final Thoughts
Spain once again demonstrated why they remain among the favorites to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their control of possession, patience in attack and ability to produce decisive moments under pressure proved enough to overcome a determined Belgian side. Mikel Merino has rapidly become Spain’s unexpected knockout hero, delivering another crucial late goal when it mattered most. With France waiting in the semi-finals, La Roja now face their toughest challenge yet, but confidence inside the Spanish camp has never been higher.
