Spain Edges Belgium 2-1 to Reach Historic 2026 World Cup Semifinals

11th July 2026, Kathmandu

Spain has advanced to the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium at a packed Los Angeles Stadium.

Spain Edges Belgium 2-1

A late match-winner from substitute Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and booked La Roja a highly anticipated semifinal clash against European rivals France.

Ruiz Strikes Early, De Ketelaere Breaks Spain’s Clean Sheet Record

Spain opened the scoring in the 30th minute when midfielder Fabián Ruiz found the back of the net, giving La Roja a deserved lead after a period of sustained pressure.

However, Belgium refused to back down. In the 41st minute, Charles De Ketelaere rose highest to power home a brilliant header, equalizing for the Red Devils just before the halftime whistle. De Ketelaere’s equalizer carried extra significance: it ended Spain’s historic, record-breaking run of six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.

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Merino Capitalizes on Late Goalkeeping Drama

The second half turned into a tense tactical battle, with both managers turning to their benches to break the deadlock. The defining moment of the match arrived in the 88th minute due to a costly error in the Belgian backline.

Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, made a critical mistake under pressure. Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, who had also come on as a substitute, reacted fastest to capitalize on the blunder, slotting home the winning goal to send the Spanish fans into a frenzy.

Spain Holds On to Face France in the Semifinals

Match officials added seven minutes of injury time, prompting a furious, late onslaught from Belgium. The Red Devils threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, but Spain’s defense held firm under immense pressure.

With this 2-1 victory, Spain breaks a 16-year drought to return to the final four of world football. They now move on to face France in what promises to be a blockbuster World Cup semifinal matchup.

Match Summary Table

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