The Spain vs Belgium World Cup quarter-final ended in heartbreak for Belgium and celebration for Spain. A late goal from Mikel Merino gave Spain a 2-1 victory and secured their place in the semi-finals.
Spain controlled large parts of the match, but Belgium made them work hard for the win. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring before Charles De Ketelaere brought Belgium level. Just when extra time seemed likely, Merino reacted quickly inside the box to score the winning goal.
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Spain vs Belgium Begins With High Pressure
Spain started the match with confidence. They kept the ball well, moved it quickly, and forced Belgium to defend for long periods.
Their pressure paid off when Fabián Ruiz scored in the first half. Spain created the chance through patient passing before Ruiz found space and finished calmly.
Belgium did not panic after falling behind. They stayed organised and looked for opportunities to attack through Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and De Ketelaere.
De Ketelaere eventually scored with a strong header, bringing Belgium back into the game. The equaliser changed the mood of the match and gave Belgium hope of reaching the semi-finals.
Spain’s Patience Makes the Difference
The second half became more careful as both teams knew one mistake could end their World Cup journey. Spain continued to enjoy more possession, while Belgium focused on staying compact and attacking when space became available.
Lamine Yamal remained a major threat on the wing. His movement and confidence forced Belgium’s defenders to stay alert. Spain also controlled the midfield well, which stopped Belgium from building regular attacks.
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Mikel Merino Delivers the Winning Moment
The key moment in Spain vs Belgium arrived in the 88th minute. Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens could not fully control a low shot, and Merino reacted faster than everyone around him.
The substitute placed the loose ball into the net and sent Spain’s players and supporters into celebration. Belgium had little time to respond, and Spain protected their lead until the final whistle.
Merino’s impact showed the value of having reliable options on the bench. Spain did not depend only on their starting players. Their substitutes brought fresh energy when the match became tense.
What the Result Means for Spain
The Spain vs Belgium result sends Spain into a semi-final against France. It will be Spain’s first World Cup semi-final appearance since their title-winning campaign in 2010.
Belgium leaves the tournament after a brave performance. They defended with discipline and responded well after Spain’s opening goal. However, Spain created more pressure and stayed patient until the winning chance arrived.
Official match information, team news, and tournament updates are available through the FIFA World Cup website.
FAQs
Who won Spain vs Belgium?
Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final.
Who scored Spain’s winning goal?
Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Who scored the first goal?
Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain during the first half.
Who scored Belgium’s goal?
Charles De Ketelaere scored Belgium’s equaliser with a header.
Who will Spain play next?
Spain will face France in the World Cup semi-finals.
Where was the match played?
The quarter-final was played at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026.