Spain advances to World Cup semi-final after Belgium blunder

2010 champions Spain have reached the semifinals of the 2026 Football World Cup. They defeated Belgium 2-1 in the second quarter-final on Friday night. Spain will now face France. This match will be played on the night of 14th July at 12:30 AM.

In the Los Angeles Stadium, the match between Spain and Belgium was tied at 1-1 until the 87th minute. In the 88th minute, substitute player Mikel Merino scored the winning goal. A kick from Spain's Pau Cubarsi slipped from the hands of Belgium's reserve goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Merino scored on the rebound.

The Spanish team has reached the semifinals in World Cup history for the third time. They last reached this stage in 2010. In that edition, Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 to win their first title.