Spain reached the World Cup semi-final on Friday with a dramatic 2-1 win over Belgium. Mikel Merino scored a late winner at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood to send his side through. Therefore, Spain will now face France in the semi-final in Arlington on Tuesday.

For the second match in a row, Merino came off the bench to decide a knockout game. He had already scored the winner against Portugal in the round of 16. That goal came in second-half stoppage time, just minutes after he entered the pitch on Monday. This time, he entered in the 86th minute and struck again in the 88th.

Pau Cubarsi fired a 25-yard effort that goalkeeper Senne Lammens could not hold. Lammens made the initial save but spilled the ball, and the rebound fell straight to Merino. He made no mistake from close range. Consequently, Spain snatched the win in the closing minutes of a tense encounter.

Lammens had only entered the match in the 71st minute. He replaced Thibaut Courtois after the Real Madrid goalkeeper picked up an apparent leg injury. Courtois had made four saves before he was forced off.

Spain took the lead earlier through Fabian Ruiz in the 30th minute. He scored on a rebound after Dani Olmo’s initial shot was saved. The move began with a sharp one-two down the left between Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro. That combination found Olmo in the centre of the penalty area, setting up the chance.

However, Belgium struck back through Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st minute. Timothy Castagne delivered the ball into the box, and Ketelaere fired it home brilliantly. Notably, this marked the first goal Spain had conceded at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Belgium’s run through the tournament had been impressive up to that point. Still, their 18-match unbeaten streak came to an end with the defeat. Meanwhile, Spain continues to chase only its second World Cup title, having lifted the trophy just once before, in 2010.

Finally, all eyes now turn to Tuesday’s semi-final in Arlington, where Spain’s push toward the World Cup semi-final stage will face its toughest test yet against France.