Spain To Face France In 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals After Knocking Out Belgium

Mikel Merino delivered another dramatic late goal as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Los Angeles.

The Arsenal midfielder, who scored a stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the last 16, repeated the feat with an 88th-minute goal just 117 seconds after coming off the bench.

With the match level at 1-1 and extra time looming, Pau Cubarsi’s long-range effort slipped through the hands of substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, allowing Merino to smash the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

Spain had gone ahead in the 30th minute after a slick move involving Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal. Thibaut Courtois kept out Dani Olmo’s first effort, but Fabian Ruiz reacted quickest to fire the loose ball through the legs of Timothy Castagne for the opener.

Belgium responded before the break as Charles De Ketelaere rose ahead of Cubarsi to power home Castagne’s cross, ending Spain’s remarkable run of 649 minutes without conceding at the tournament.

Belgium appealed for a penalty early in the second half after Aymeric Laporte’s header touched the arm of Rodri inside the area, but play continued. Spain also came close through Mikel Oyarzabal, whose effort was denied by Courtois.

The turning point arrived in the 71st minute when Courtois suffered what appeared to be a muscle injury and left the pitch in tears. Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens replaced him for only his third senior international appearance, but his costly error late on handed Spain the decisive moment.

The victory sends Luis de la Fuente’s European champions into the semi-finals, where they will face France in Dallas on Tuesday, 14 July, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.