Spain secured their spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a thrilling 2-1 victory against Belgium in the quarter-final clash held at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match, defined by intense defensive battles and tactical changes, saw Mikel Merino emerge as the hero once again, netting a late goal to seal the win for his side. Merino, who had previously played a pivotal role in Spain's victory against Portugal, demonstrated his knack for scoring in clutch moments.
Tactical Shifts and Mid-Game Drama
As the clock ticked to the 69th minute, the game saw Spain earn a free kick in their defensive half following a foul by Jeremy Doku. The match experienced a significant interruption shortly after, when Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went down with an injury. At 70:37, Courtois was substituted, with Senne Lammens stepping in to take charge of the goalpost. Shortly after the resumption, Marc Cucurella was flagged for offside, briefly stalling Spain's momentum. In the 73rd minute, Lamine Yamal attempted a left-footed strike from the right side of the penalty area, set up by Dani Olmo, but the effort was successfully blocked.
Fouls, Cards, and High Pressure
The intensity continued to rise throughout the second half. At 75:45, Axel Witsel was penalized for a foul, giving Spain a free kick on the left wing. This was followed by a series of back-and-forth challenges. By the 83rd minute, Kevin De Bruyne launched a powerful long-range strike from over 35 yards out, but it was blocked by the Spanish defense. Tensions escalated in the 84th minute when De Bruyne was issued a yellow card for a rough foul, further complicating Belgium's pursuit of an equalizer.
The Deciding Moment
In a crucial tactical move at 85:25, Spain brought on Mikel Merino for Dani Olmo, while Belgium introduced Alexis Saelemaekers in place of Kevin De Bruyne. The impact was almost immediate. At 87:19, Senne Lammens made a brilliant save to deny a shot from Pau Cubarsi. However, just seconds later at 87:22, Merino struck with a superb left-footed shot from close range, curling the ball into the top left corner of the net to give Spain a 2-1 lead.
Holding Firm in Extra Time
The fourth official signaled seven minutes of added time following the conclusion of the regulation 90 minutes. This period was marked by desperate attempts from Belgium and physical play from both sides. Aymeric Laporte received a yellow card at 92:17 for a heavy foul, and Axel Witsel was similarly carded in the 94th minute for a dangerous challenge. Despite late pressure and a late foul by Romelu Lukaku at 95:30, Spain held their defensive line firmly. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory, sending Spain into the semi-finals to face a formidable France side.
