Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on Friday to advance to the World Cup 2026 semifinals [1].
The victory marks a significant milestone for the Spanish national team, as it is their first appearance in a World Cup semifinal since 2010 [5].
The match took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California [4]. Spain, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, maintained a tight contest against Belgium and manager Rudy García until the closing minutes of the game.
Substitute Mikel Merino provided the decisive moment in the 88th minute [2]. Merino capitalized on a defensive mistake by the Belgian side to score the winning goal [3]. The late strike secured the 2-1 victory for La Roja [1].
Following the match, Belgium manager Rudy García addressed the loss. "We had bad luck," García said [6].
Spain now prepares for a semifinal matchup against France [3]. The result ends Belgium's run in the tournament and cements Spain's position as a top contender for the title.
“Spain's first World Cup semi-final since 2010”
Spain's progression to the semifinals validates Luis de la Fuente's tactical approach and restores the team to the final four of the global tournament for the first time in 16 years. By overcoming Belgium in a high-pressure quarter-final, Spain enters the next round with significant momentum heading into a high-profile clash with France.
