Spain earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory against a gritty Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, which refused to give up, making their way into the semi-final.
Fabian Ruiz opened the scoresheet for Spain after a rebound. Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium after a beautifully guided header. The deciding goal for the Spanish team came after substitute Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a mistake, which was punished by Mikel Merino.
“It’s the life of a goalkeeper,” said German goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn at the post-match analysis. He, however, added that Spain failed to make a decisive impact pass in the final third, which would be a problem for them in the tournament.
Here are the lineups for the match.
Spain: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Maxim De Cuyper, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere.
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Quarter Finals | Belgium vs Spain | HIGHLIGHTS
2.55 am: Live updates to this match have ended.
2.29 am: Full-time. Spain goes through to the semis
That is it. Spain are through to the semi-final. They will be playing against France. A tight fixture comes to an end after Spain scored first before Belgium came with an exquisite headed equaliser. The winner from Spain came from a goalkeeping mistake after 24-year-old Lammens failed to grab the ball. He was immediately punished by Merino.
Spain walk into the last four, carrying dreams, belief, and the weight of a nation. Belgium leave with admiration and lessons.
🇪🇸 Spain have qualified for the Semi-finals!#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 10, 2026
2.20 am: GOAL! Spain gets a 2-1 lead
A long shot from 19-year-old Cubarsi. Lammens makes a horrendous mistake. The ball comes straight to him; however, he fails to grab it. Merino is in the right position and slots it home with just three minutes of regular time. PURE DRAMA!
Mikel Merino puts Spain back in front 👀#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/O3k2fmIFdF
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 10, 2026
2.16 am: Yamal miscues first touch
A beautifully crafted through ball lands right at the feet of Yamal, who timed his run perfectly. However, the teenager’s touch is a bit too heavy. Comfortable pick up for Lammens.
2.11 am: Substitution for Spain
Oyarzabal makes way for Nico Williams. The 23-year-old gets his first minutes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. TACTICAL.
2.06 am: Clever play from Spain
Oyarzabal tries for a sneaky through to Torres, but the Belgian defender Ngoy is aware and clears the ball for a throw-in.
2.03 am: BIG BLOW for Belgium
Courtois leaves the field with tears. A probable hamstring pull forces him to make way for the substitute goalkeeper Lammens.
1.53 am: SAVE from Courtois again!
Yamal cuts in from the right flank, makes way for himself and tries to curl in to the far post. BUT, Courtois heroics keep it 1-1.
1.50 am: Fisted away by Courtois
A lucrative cross from Yamal from the right flank. He aims for Baena. But the Belgian wall is right on his toes. He dives in front of him to make a double-handed SAVE!
1.47 am: Belgium comes close
Doku makes a brilliant one-two run, assisted by De Bruyne from the left flank. Doku uses his pace to leave behind the Spanish defender and cuts back in for De Cuyper, who fires it WIDE! It hits the side netting. Huge chance!
1.40 am: OFFSIDE for Yamal
Yamal runs off his marker after a brilliant through ball from Cubarsi. He comes 1-on-1 with Courtois, who perfects his time to come off the line. Yamal tries to flick it past the Belgian goalkeeper, but saved! WAIT! The flag is up.
1.22 am: Half time
Ketelaere drew level for Belgium after Ruiz had struck first to give Spain the lead. Spain has finally been breached in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s 1-1 after 45 minutes.
1.11 am: GOAL! Belgium draws it level
Castagne delivers a perfect lofted cross, which is headed by Ketelaere, who dives ahead of the defender to reach the ball. The ball takes a bounce before going inside the net. It’s all level in California.
Charles De Ketelaere levels it for The Red Devils 🇧🇪#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ngqpn7EHAG
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 10, 2026
1.10 am: YAMAL fires it wide from a free kick
Yamal, who is making his sixth World Cup appearance, gets the ball in a free space just outside the edge of the box. He cuts in and fires it with his left foot in the near post! IT’s WIDE. 1-0 for Spain.
6 – Lamine Yamal is making his sixth FIFA World Cup appearance, the outright most by a player aged 18 or younger in the competition.
Stardom. pic.twitter.com/OLYbabyXOK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 10, 2026
1.04 am: FREE KICK at a dangerous position
1.00 am: GOAL! Spain takes the lead
Yamal with a defence-splitting through ball to Porro, who cuts it inside with a low cross. Olmo with the shot, but SAVED by Courtois! The ball falls in an open space after the rebound, and Ruiz tucked it inside the net after it took a deflection from a Belgian defender. It’s 1-0.
Fabian Ruiz breaks the deadlock 🇪🇸#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/rLTAOryIcQ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 10, 2026
12.57 am: Action returns after hydration break
As expected, Spain has dominated ball possession. But nothing fruitful has come from them yet. Belgium, meanwhile, are relying on its pacey wingers to pressure the opponent.
12.47 am: End-to-end game
Both Belgium and Spain have their share of ball and individual brilliance. But neither of them could make an impact in the final third of their respective opposition. GAME ON!
12.35 am: Doku with a brilliant run
Doku with a solo run from deep down on their own half before giving a lateral pass to the right flank from the centre of the field. However, Belgium fails to advance further.
12.30 am: Kick off
It starts in California in front of a packed stadium with Spain attacking from left to right. Belgium looks to continue their form, while Spain hopes to extend their unbeaten run.