Spain Defeats Belgium 2-1 to Reach World Cup Semifinals

Jul 11, 2026

51 min

Jul 11, 2026 02:31

Spain 2-1 Belgium: Merino's late heroics send Spain into World Cup semifinals

## Spain's Late Victory

Spain secured a spot in the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win over Belgium, thanks to a late goal by Mikel Merino. The match took place at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026.

## Key Moments

Spain dominated the first half, taking the lead in the 30th minute when Fabián Ruiz scored after a save by Thibaut Courtois. Belgium equalized before halftime with a header from Charles De Ketelaere.

## Turning Point

The game shifted when Courtois, Belgium's key player, left the field due to an injury. His replacement, Senne Lammens, made a crucial error in the 88th minute, allowing Merino to score the winning goal.

## Spain's Path Forward

This victory marks Spain's first World Cup semifinal appearance since 2010. They will face France in the next round, continuing their impressive unbeaten streak.

## Belgium's Campaign Ends

Despite a strong performance, Belgium's World Cup journey ended due to injuries and a late mistake. The team showed resilience but couldn't overcome Spain's pressure.

Read the full story at the source

What you need to know to get Emirates ID?

Leave your details and get a guide as a gift to avoid mistakes

Article contents