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⚽ Spain overcame Belgium and advanced to the 2026 World Cup semifinals: drama, grit, and Merino’s goal.

The 2026 World Cup quarterfinal between 🇪🇸 Spain and 🇧🇪 Belgium was one of the most compelling matches of the playoff stage. At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the teams delivered an intense contest to the fans, beautiful goals, and genuine football drama. Spain traditionally bet on ball control and positional attacks, while Belgium tried to respond with quick forward transitions. Both squads understood the price of a mistake, because a place in the top four was at stake. In the end, Luis de la Fuente’s side proved stronger, winning 2:1. ⚽

The first half began at a high tempo, and the teams immediately started creating dangerous moments. In the 30th minute, Spain opened the scoring. After a cross by Pedro Porro and a shot by Dani Olmo, Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved the ball, but Fabián Ruiz was first to react on the rebound and fired it into the net. After conceding, Belgium didn’t break and continued to look for their chances in attack. Already in the 41st minute, Charles de Ketelaere, with a header, finished Timothée Castagne’s delivery and leveled the score. For Spain, this goal was the first they conceded at this World Cup. By halftime, the teams went into the break tied 1:1.

The second half played out under the sign of Spain’s advantage. De la Fuente’s team controlled the ball more, combined near the opponent’s penalty area, and regularly created chances. At the same time, Belgium didn’t give up on the fight and, whenever they had an opportunity, tried to threaten Unai Simón’s goal. Thibaut Courtois played an important role for Belgium, saving the team several times after dangerous shots. However, in the 71st minute, the goalkeeper sustained an injury and was forced to leave the pitch. Senné Lammens came on in his place, for whom this match was only his third appearance with the national team.

The key moment of the match came at the end of regular time. In the 88th minute, Pau Cubarsí fired a shot at Belgium’s goal, and Lammens misjudged the rebound, sending the ball back into danger right in front of him. First to pounce on the follow-up was Mikel Merino, who had only very recently come on as a substitute. The midfielder made the most of the opportunity coolly and scored the winning goal for Spain. This goal proved decisive in the quarterfinal showdown and once again confirmed the importance of players from the bench. Merino is already a hero for the World Cup playoffs for the second match in a row after scoring the decisive goal against Portugal. 🔥

📋 Main events of the match:
⚽ 30th minute — Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring with a rebound finish.
⚽ 41st minute — Charles de Ketelaere equalized with a header.
🧤 71st minute — Thibaut Courtois left the field due to injury.
⚽ 88th minute — Mikel Merino scored the winning goal.
🏆 Final score: 🇪🇸 Spain — 🇧🇪 Belgium 2:1.

Before the playoffs began, both teams showed a high level of football in the group stage. 🇪🇸 Spain won Group H, beating Uruguay and Saudi Arabia and drawing with Cabo Verde. In the next rounds, the team overcame Austria and Portugal. 🇧🇪 Belgium also finished the group stage in first place, after which they defeated Senegal and the United States. That’s why their quarterfinal clash was expected with great interest among football fans.

The win over Belgium allowed Spain to continue their fight for the tournament’s main trophy. The team demonstrates consistent performances, strong ball control, and the ability to find heroes in the most crucial moments. Especially important is that the decisive goals in the playoffs are scored by players who come on as substitutes. Such character could become a key factor in the battle for the championship title. Ahead of La Roja, an even tougher test awaits. 🏆

After the victory over 🇧🇪 Belgium, the 🇪🇸 Spain national team officially became the second semifinalist of the 2026 World Cup. The next opponent for Luis de la Fuente’s team will be 🇫🇷 France, which in its quarterfinal match beat 🇲🇦 Morocco 2:0. The semifinal matchup between France and Spain will take place on Tuesday, July 14, at 22:00 Kyiv time. ⚽ The other semifinal pairing will be determined by the matches 🇳🇴 Norway — 🏴 England and 🇦🇷 Argentina — 🇨🇭 Switzerland, which will be played during the night leading into Sunday, July 12. Those matches will decide the final participants in the fight for a spot in the World Cup final. 🌍

⚽ 2026 World Cup match, 1/4 final
🇪🇸 Spain — Belgium 🇧🇪 2:1.

⚽ Goals:
🇪🇸 Fabián Ruiz — 30th min.
🇧🇪 Charles de Ketelaere — 41st min.
🇪🇸 Mikel Merino — 88th min.

🏆 2026 World Cup semifinals:
🇫🇷 France — 🇪🇸 Spain.
📅 July 14, 2026.
🕙 22:00 (Kyiv time).

P.S. By the way, I predicted the score the match would end with and which team would win.
It was: Spain 2:1 Belgium.

https://www.gate.com/competition/football-2026?ref_type=165&ref=VVEXUW1ZAQ&utm_cmp=RRIyDSgF

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