LOS ANGELES — Spain reached the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Belgium after substitute Mikel Merino struck a late winner in an absorbing quarter-final on Friday, extending the European champions' run and setting up a last-four meeting with France.
Merino scored in the 88th minute after Belgian substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold Pau Cubarsi's low effort, allowing the midfielder to convert from close range and settle a tightly contested match before a sold-out crowd at Los Angeles Stadium.
Spain had controlled much of the possession and created the clearer chances throughout the evening, but Belgium repeatedly threatened on the counterattack despite being hampered by injuries.
Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute, finishing a sustained spell of pressure. Belgium responded against the run of play when Charles De Ketelaere equalised in the 41st minute, capitalising on one of his side's few opportunities before halftime.
Belgium's challenge became more difficult after captain Youri Tielemans was ruled out with an injury sustained during the pre-match warm-up, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off during the second half. Lammens replaced the veteran goalkeeper but was unable to prevent Merino's decisive strike after spilling Cubarsi's shot.
The winning goal continued Merino's remarkable impact as a substitute. The midfielder had also scored Spain's stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, becoming the first player to net winning goals as a substitute in two separate World Cup knockout matches, according to tournament statistics.
Belgium continued to threaten through Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in the closing stages but could not find a second equaliser as Spain preserved its narrow advantage.
The victory sends Spain into its first World Cup semi-final since the nation's title-winning campaign in South Africa in 2010. Luis de la Fuente's side will next face France in Dallas for a place in the final.
Belgium exits the tournament after an impressive knockout run that included victories over Senegal after extra time and the United States in the Round of 16 before pushing Spain to the limit despite significant injury setbacks.
