2026 World Cup, Spain Successfully Defeated Belgium and Advances to the Semifinals

JAKARTA - Mikel Merino led Spain to the 2026 World Cup semifinals after defeating Belgium 2-1 at the SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, USA, early Saturday.

Spain took the lead thanks to Fabian Ruiz's goal, then Charles De Ketelaere equalised still in the first half.

This victory brought Spain to the 2026 World Cup semifinals to face France at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Wednesday (15/7) at 02.00 WIB.

Spain immediately attacked by threatening Dani Olmo's shot which was saved by Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois's shot was greeted by Fabian Ruiz's shot which gave Spain a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.

Belgium equalised 1-1 in the 41st minute after a cross from Timothy Castagne was met by a header from Charles De Ketelaere which broke the Spanish goal.

In the second half, Spain again showed an attacking game. They threatened through Mikel Oyarzabal's kick, but Courtois failed.

Belgium had to make a goalkeeper change in the 71st minute after Courtois suffered an injury and was replaced by Senne Lammens.

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Spain continued to press Belgium and regained the lead after Pau Cubarsi's shot from outside the penalty area was blocked by Lammens.

But Lammens' interception was not perfect so the ball became wild which was intercepted by Mikel Merino to break Belgium's goal so that the score changed to 2-1 in the 88th minute.

Belgium tried to find the equalizer and had chances through the movement of Alexis Saelemaekers who managed to pass the Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon, but the pass he gave was swept away by defender Aymeric Laporte before it reached Romelu Lukaku.

Belgium, as reported by Antara, continued to try to find the equalizer, but until the end of the match, the score of 2-1 for Spain remained.