Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on July 10, 2026, to advance to the FIFA World Cup semifinals [1, 2].

The victory ensures Spain will face France in the next round, marking a critical step toward the championship in a tournament hosted across North America [1, 5].

The quarterfinal match took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California [3, 4]. Spain secured the win through a late goal scored by Mikel Merino [4], which broke the deadlock and eliminated the Belgian national team from the competition [1, 2].

The match remained competitive until the final stages, with the 2-1 result reflecting a narrow margin of victory for the Spanish side [1]. The late-game surge by Spain allowed them to overcome Belgium's defensive efforts in the closing minutes of the match [2, 5].

Spain now prepares for a high-stakes encounter with France, one of the tournament favorites. The victory at SoFi Stadium establishes Spain as a primary contender for the title as the competition enters its final four stage [1, 5].

“Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on July 10, 2026”

Spain's progression to the semifinals underscores their resilience in high-pressure knockout stages. By defeating Belgium in a tightly contested match, Spain earns a tactical showdown against France, a matchup that often determines the trajectory of the tournament's final outcome.