Merino Does It Again! See How Spain Edged Belgium To Reach World Cup Semis
Spain vs Belgium Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain secured a dramatic 2–1 victory over Belgium in their quarter-final at Los Angeles Stadium. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the 30th minute with a deflected finish, but Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium with a header before halftime. The match remained a tense tactical battle until the 71st minute, when Belgium’s veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury. The introduction of Senne Lammens as the replacement proved decisive when, in the 88th minute, he spilt a long-ranger from Pau Cubarsí, allowing Mikel Merino -- Spain's "super sub" -- to tap in the winning goal. With the win, La Roja reached their first World Cup semi-final since 2010, setting up a blockbuster clash against France in Dallas. Belgium’s exit marked an emotional end for their golden generation. See the best photos from the ESP vs BEL football match here:
Fans hold up Spanish flags as they watch warmups before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
A supporter cheers before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull
A fan cheers during warmups before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Actor Javier Bardem waits for the start of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull
Belgium fans, one holding a placard, wait for the start of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasso
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) warms up for the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Marcio Sanchez
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne (7) warms up before the start of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Spain squad pose before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull
Spain's Alex Baena (25) runs ahead with the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Spain's Marc Cucurella (24) blocks shot by Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Marcio Sanchez
Spain's Fabian Ruiz (8) scores first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Marcio J. Sanche
pain's Fabian Ruiz (8) scores their opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Gregory Bul
Spain's Fabian Ruiz (8) reacts after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Andre Penner
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) reacts after Spain's Fabian Ruiz (8) scored the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Belgium fans watch the quarterfinal World Cup soccer match between Belgium and Spain, in Brussels Marius Burgelman/AP Photo
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) takes a free kick during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores his side's opening goal as Spain's Pau Cubarsi (22) and Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) defend during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores their first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Marcio J. Sanchez
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17), second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Spain fans watch the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium at a watch party at the Rockefeller Center fan villag | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, left, leaves as Alexis Saelemaekers (22) enters the match during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) goes off the field during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
Belgium fans watch the quarterfinal World Cup soccer match between Belgium and Spain, in Brussels | Photo: AP/Marius Burgelman
Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens (12) spills the ball as Spain's Mikel Merino (6), center left, closes in to score their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Mark J. Terrill
Spain's Mikel Merino (6) scores his side's second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
Spain's Mikel Merino (6) celebrates after their win in the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
Spain players celebrate after teammate Mikel Merino scored their side's second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens reacts after Spain's Mikel Merino scored his side's second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Jae C. Hong
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (9) reacts during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Andre Penner
Actress Penelope Cruz, left, waves as she watches the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19), wearing a headband that says 'Ego Yamal', controls the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/Andre Penner
Spain's Pau Cubarsi (22) clears the ball over Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (9) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Marcio J. Sanchez
Spain's Pedri (20) battles for the ball with Belgium's Axel Witsel (6) and Alexis Saelemaekers (22) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Marcio J. Sanchez
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) acknowledges the crowd after their loss in the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) reacts after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood Andre Penner/Ap Photo
Spain fans celebrate at a public watch party in Miami Beach, Fla., Friday, July 10, 2026, as the team defeats Belgium in a quarterfinal World Cup soccer match. | Photo: AP/ Rebecca Blackwell
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) and Nico Williams (17) celebrate in front of Belgium's Joaquin Seys (18) after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Marcio J. Sanchez
Spain fans celebrate their team's win over Belgium in their quarterfinal World Cup soccer match, at a public watch party in Miami Beach, Fla., Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Rebecca Blackwell
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia talks to his players after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. | Photo: AP/ Marcio J. Sanchez
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