Spain are onto the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal after defeating Belgium on Friday. The tense quarterfinal ended 2-1 at SoFi Stadium in California with goals by Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere and Spain's Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino.

Spain's dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals attracted almost as much attention off the pitch as it did on it, with Hollywood stars, music icons, royalty, athletes and internet personalities packing the VIP sections at Los Angeles Stadium to watch one of the tournament's biggest matches.

La Roja fended off a hot Belgium squad, winning 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, July 10 thanks to the late heroics of Mikel Merino. Belgium became the first team to score on Spain in the tournament,

Lamine Yamal helped Spain reach the World Cup semis after beating Belgium 2-1, having a clear message for France in their upcoming match.

France and Spain entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the favorites to win the tournament; now the two powerhouses will meet in the semifinals at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday.

Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino score for Spain, which takes advantage of an injury to Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Coutois in a 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal win.

Spain left it late again to defeat Belgium and advance to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win after Senne Lammens' late mistake proved decisive.