Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 [1] on Friday, July 10, 2026 [3], to advance to the World Cup semi-finals.
The victory secures a high-stakes matchup between two of the tournament's strongest contenders and eliminates Belgium from the competition.
The match took place at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglenwood, California [4]. Spain maintained pressure throughout the contest, eventually breaking the deadlock in the closing moments of the game. Substitute Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute [2].
"Mikel Merino's 88th-minute strike sealed a 2-1 victory for Spain," a Yahoo Sports reporter said [2].
Belgium's performance was hampered by personnel challenges. While reports varied on the specific nature of the setbacks, sources noted a goalkeeper injury and an injury to captain Youri Tielemans during warm-ups. The loss of stability in the defensive line contributed to Spain's late surge.
"Spain manager Luis de la Fuente's decision to bring on Merino proved decisive," a Los Angeles Times analyst said [3].
Spain now prepares for a semi-final encounter against France. The two teams are scheduled to meet this coming Tuesday in Arlington, Texas [6].
"Spain and France will meet Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, in a matchup anticipated for years," an NPR correspondent said [6].
“Mikel Merino's 88th-minute strike sealed a 2-1 victory for Spain.”
Spain's advancement to the semi-finals reinforces their status as a primary contender for the title. The upcoming match against France represents a clash of two European powerhouses, likely determining the tactical benchmark for the final. For Belgium, the exit marks the end of a cycle for a generation of talent that has struggled to secure a World Cup trophy despite consistent quarter-final appearances.
