Late Merino strike sends holders-in-waiting Spain through as World Cup 2026 heads into its final week
Inglewood, California — Spain are into the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a gripping 2-1 win over Belgium at SoFi Stadium, setting up a mouth-watering last-four meeting with France in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14.
Fermín López…
Spain 2-1 Belgium: How It Happened
Spain broke the deadlock through Fermín López — no wait, let’s correct the scorer — Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, calmly finishing from the edge of the box to put Luis de la Fuente’s side ahead. Belgium, who had stunned the tournament by fighting back from the brink in earlier rounds, responded almost immediately. Charles De Ketelaere, in inspired form all summer, drew Belgium level in the 41st minute with a clinical finish that had SoFi Stadium holding its breath.
The game swung back and forth after the break, with both sides creating chances but neither goalkeeper — Unai Simón for Spain — seriously tested until deep into stoppage time. Just when the tie looked destined for extra time, substitute Mikel Merino rose to head home the winner in the 88th minute, sparking wild scenes among the Spanish supporters inside the stadium.
It is a cruel end for Belgium, who arrived in the quarter-finals having survived a series of dramatic knockout escapes, including a stirring comeback against Senegal in the previous round. For Spain, though, the manner of the win — patient, composed, and ultimately ruthless in the closing stages — will only add to the growing belief that this squad has what it takes to go all the way in North America.
Next Up: France Await in Dallas
Spain’s reward is a semi-final date with France, who booked their own place in the last four days earlier with a comfortable 2-0 win over Morocco in Boston, goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé doing the damage. The two European heavyweights will meet at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET, live on FOX and Telemundo in the United States.
It is a repeat of some of the biggest nights in recent tournament football, with both nations boasting squads capable of winning the whole competition outright. France, chasing a return to the final for the third World Cup running, will go in as slight favourites on paper given Mbappé’s red-hot scoring form, but Spain’s technical superiority through midfield and their knack for finding a winner late on makes this one of the semi-final ties of the tournament.
The winner will progress to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final in New York/New Jersey on July 19, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Norway or England, and Argentina or Switzerland — that tie is scheduled for July 15 in Atlanta.
What This Means for the Tournament
With France and Spain both through, the top half of the World Cup 2026 knockout bracket has delivered exactly the kind of heavyweight collision fans were hoping for. Both sides are unbeaten in the knockout stages so far, and both have shown the ability to grind out results when games are tight — a trait that tends to matter most in the closing stages of a World Cup.
For Belgium, the run ends in the quarter-finals, but few will be able to say this squad underachieved given how close they came to a deeper run. For Spain, attention now turns fully to preparation for a France side that will provide arguably their sternest test of the tournament so far.
Match Facts: Spain vs Belgium
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Quarter-final
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles
- Final Score: Spain 2-1 Belgium
- Goalscorers: F. Ruiz 30′ (Spain), C. De Ketelaere 41′ (Belgium), M. Merino 88′ (Spain)
- Spain Formation: 4-2-3-1 (Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella…)
Need To Know
Who won the Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 quarter-final?
Spain won 2-1, with goals from Fabián Ruiz and a late Mikel Merino header settling the contest after Charles De Ketelaere had equalised for Belgium.
Who scored Spain’s winning goal against Belgium?
Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute, heading Spain into the semi-finals.
Who does Spain play in the World Cup 2026 semi-final?
Spain will face France in the semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14, at 3 p.m. ET.
When is France vs Spain in the World Cup 2026?
The France vs Spain semi-final is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.
How did France reach the semi-finals?
France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.
Who is in the other World Cup 2026 semi-final?
The second semi-final, on July 15 in Atlanta, will be contested by the winners of Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland.
When is the World Cup 2026 Final?
The Final takes place on July 19, 2026, at New York/New Jersey Stadium.