Mikel Merino came off the bench to score another dramatic late winner as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles to book their place in the semi finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face France in a blockbuster showdown.
Merino once again proved to be Spain’s hero after also scoring the decisive late goal against Portugal in the round of 16. His latest strike ended Belgium’s World Cup campaign and sent La Roja into their first World Cup semi final since lifting the trophy in 2010.
This was only the third World Cup meeting between Spain and Belgium. The Red Devils famously advanced on penalties in their 1986 quarter final clash after a 1-1 draw, while Spain won 2-1 when the teams met during the group stage of the 1990 tournament.
Belgium threatened first after 15 minutes with a swift counter attack. Kevin De Bruyne released Jeremy Doku, who skipped past two challenges before combining with Charles De Ketelaere. The forward cut inside and fired from the edge of the area, but Marc Cucurella made an outstanding block to keep the scores level.
Spain entered the match with an incredible defensive record. They had gone 609 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal since Ao Tanaka scored for Japan during the group stage of the 2022 tournament.
Lamine Yamal almost punished Belgium’s mistake in the 21st minute after the visitors lost possession near their own penalty area. The teenage winger curled a superb effort from 20 yards that drifted just beyond the far post.
Spain also carried impressive recent form against Belgium into the contest. La Roja had gone unbeaten in their previous 11 meetings with the Red Devils, winning nine of those matches. They had also won each of the last five encounters by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Their dominance finally paid off in the 30th minute.
Pedro Porro exchanged passes with Yamal down the right before delivering a dangerous low cross into the area. Dani Olmo’s first effort was brilliantly saved by Thibaut Courtois, but Fabian Ruiz reacted quickest to convert the rebound from close range and hand Spain a deserved 1-0 lead.
Spain almost doubled their advantage five minutes later when Yamal curled a superb free kick around Belgium’s wall, forcing Courtois into another excellent save.
Moments later, Alejandro Baena thought he had found the net after controlling Aymeric Laporte’s long pass before firing past Courtois. However, the move ended immediately after the assistant referee spotted a marginal handball.
Yamal continued to torment Belgium’s defence and nearly produced a stunning solo goal in the 40th minute. The Barcelona star skipped past two defenders before driving a powerful left footed effort narrowly wide into the side netting.
Belgium finally broke Spain’s remarkable defensive streak just before half time.
Leandro Trossard delayed his shot before switching play to Timothy Castagne, whose second cross into the area found De Ketelaere. The striker rose above Pau Cubarsi and powered a brilliant header beyond Unai Simon to make it 1-1.
Porro almost restored Spain’s advantage before the interval, but his ambitious left footed strike sailed comfortably wide.
The teams went into the break level after an entertaining first half. Spain controlled possession and created the better opportunities, generating 1.08 expected goals. Yamal played a central role throughout the opening period, while Ruiz’s goal rewarded Spain’s early dominance.
Belgium started the second half brightly.
A poor Spain free kick gifted possession to Doku, whose dangerous through ball almost found Trossard before Simon rushed off his line to intercept.
Seconds later, Cubarsi’s perfectly weighted pass released Yamal, but the teenager had strayed just offside before Courtois cleared the danger.
Spain again made history during the match. Cubarsi and Yamal became only the second pair of teenagers to start a World Cup quarter final together since Brazil fielded Pele and Jose Altafini against Wales in 1958.
Olmo then blazed a half volley over the crossbar after Spain worked a clever short corner routine.
Belgium almost completed the turnaround in the 54th minute. Doku combined brilliantly with De Bruyne before the winger’s cutback reached Maxim De Cuyper, whose first time effort flashed into the side netting.
The match quickly opened up at both ends.
Yamal delivered a dangerous cross that Courtois punched away before he produced another outstanding save to deny the Spanish winger moments later.
Belgium responded immediately when Doku surged through midfield and released Nicolas Raskin. The move eventually fell to De Bruyne inside the area, but his low effort went straight at Simon.
Spain almost regained the lead seconds later after Yamal slipped Mikel Oyarzabal through on goal, only for Courtois to deny the striker from a tight angle.
The Belgium goalkeeper reached another remarkable milestone during the game. His 21st World Cup appearance moved him into second place on the all time list for goalkeepers, behind only Manuel Neuer.
Belgium then suffered a huge setback in the 67th minute when Courtois pulled up with a thigh injury. After lengthy treatment and a hydration break, the experienced goalkeeper could not continue. Senne Lammens replaced him for the closing stages.
Spain continued to push forward. Ferran Torres headed over after a clever move before Yamal missed another opportunity after a heavy first touch allowed Lammens to gather.
Belgium almost stole the lead in the 84th minute after Simon raced well outside his area to clear a long ball. The loose clearance fell perfectly for De Bruyne, whose ambitious effort towards the empty net looked destined to score before Rodri produced a superb goal line block.
Then came another decisive moment from Merino.
With only two minutes of normal time remaining, Yamal and Nico Williams both saw shots blocked before Spain recycled possession. Pedri switched play to Cubarsi, whose low effort slipped through Lammens’ hands. Merino reacted quickest inside the six yard box to tap home and give Spain a dramatic 2-1 lead.
The Arsenal midfielder became only the second substitute ever to score the winning goal for Spain in a World Cup knockout match. Remarkably, he achieved the feat twice in successive rounds after also deciding the victory over Portugal.
Belgium threw everything forward during stoppage time.
Alexis Saelemaekers rounded Simon after another dangerous attack and delivered a cross towards the unmarked Romelu Lukaku, but Laporte produced a spectacular acrobatic clearance to prevent a certain equaliser.
The Red Devils created one final opportunity in the sixth minute of added time. Simon spilled Raskin’s cross under pressure from Lukaku, but the referee awarded Spain a free kick after judging the striker had fouled the goalkeeper before Cubarsi completed the clearance.
Spain nearly added a third goal at the other end when Cucurella burst forward and fired straight at Lammens.
The final whistle confirmed Spain’s place in the World Cup semi finals after a thrilling 2-1 victory.
Fabian Ruiz and Charles De Ketelaere exchanged first half goals before Merino once again delivered when Spain needed him most. Belgium enjoyed dangerous moments despite generating only 0.38 expected goals, while Spain created 2.08 expected goals and fully deserved their place in the final four.
Spain will now meet France in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
