Super-sub Merino sends Spain into semi-finals with late winner against Belgium

Spain marches into semifinals to face France

Belgium break into the box with Spain’s goalkeeper off his line. Alexis Saelemaekers tries to pick out Romelu Lukaku in front of goal, but his cross takes a deflection and is cleared away. A huge opportunity goes begging.

Mikel Merino puts Spain ahead! It is a familiar story for Spain as the goalkeeper parries the initial effort and a Spanish player reacts quickest. This time, Lammens spills Cubarsí’s long-range strike, and Merino shows brilliant reactions to fire home the rebound before taking a heavy challenge from a Belgium defender.

Luis De La Fuente (Spain) is making a fourth substitution, with Mikel Merino replacing Dani Olmo.

Belgium make their fifth substitution with Alexis Saelemaekers replacing Kevin De Bruyne.

Nico Williams comes on to replace Mikel Oyarzabal as Luis de la Fuente looks to add fresh pace in attack.

Spain in complete control. La Roja are dominating possession and dictating the tempo as they push forward in search of the winner.

A major blow for Belgium as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is forced off after going down earlier with a suspected thigh injury. Senne Lammens comes on as his replacement.

Rodri's lofted pass finds Cucurella behind the Belgium defence, and he cuts it back for Ferran Torres, whose header goes agonisingly wide. The flag is raised for offside anyway.

Spain go close! Thibaut Courtois is forced into action, diving low to keep out a deflected Mikel Oyarzabal effort at the near post. The game is opening up with both sides pushing for the winner.

Mikel Oyarzabal tests the Belgium defence as he gets a shot away at Los Angeles Stadium, but his effort fails to trouble the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Kevin De Bruyne responds for Belgium, getting his shot on target, but he cannot find the finish to beat Spain’s defence.

Belgium make their first change of the match, with Axel Witsel coming on to replace Leandro Trossard. Belgium make further changes at Los Angeles Stadium. Joaquin Seys replaces Maxim De Cuyper, while Romelu Lukaku comes on for Hans Vanaken.

Spain make a double change. Ferran Torres replaces Álex Baena, while Pedri comes on for Fabián Ruiz as Luis de la Fuente looks to add more control and creativity in midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne starts a brilliant move before Doku combines with De Cuyper inside the box. A slick one-two opens up space, but De Cuyper’s effort finds the side netting.

Spain win a corner after Yamal’s shot is deflected behind. The set-piece falls to Dani Olmo on the edge of the box, but his effort sails over the bar. Spain are preparing their first change as they continue searching for the lead.

Spain continues searching for the second goal with a brilliant move built up outside the box. Cucurella sets up Yamal, whose effort takes a deflection and goes just wide of the post, earning Spain a corner.

A brilliant through ball from Cubarsi sends Yamal clear with only the onrushing goalkeeper to beat, but his effort is blocked before the offside flag is raised.

Second half is underway in Los Angeles! Spain and Belgium are back out for the final 45 minutes with the score locked at 1-1.

Shots: 10 | 2
Shots on target: 3 | 1
Possession: 66% | 34%
Passes: 305 | 174
Pass accuracy: 90% | 83%

A thrilling first half in Los Angeles. Spain tried to regain control late on, but Belgium look full of confidence after De Ketelaere’s equaliser and remain a serious threat.

Five minutes of added time has been indicated. Pedro Porro tries his luck from the edge of the box, but his effort sails well wide of the post. Spain, who had been so dominant defensively, look slightly unsettled after conceding for the first time in the tournament.

Charles De Ketelaere produces a brilliant header to make it 1-1. The forward finishes off a fine move after excellent build-up play outside the box, with Timothy Castagne providing the pinpoint assist.

Yamal continues to trouble Belgium's defence. The teenager cuts inside from the right, leaving Jérémy Doku trailing, before unleashing a powerful left-footed effort. The shot flashes into the side netting, with Spain continuing to look the more dangerous side at 1-0.

Spain are dominating possession and dictating the tempo, leaving Belgium chasing shadows in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates have struggled to influence the game, with the Red Devils unable to establish any rhythm as La Roja continue to control proceedings at 1-0.

Yamal goes close from a dangerous free-kick after earning the set piece himself with a brilliant dribble that forced a foul just outside the penalty area. The Barcelona star curls a superb left-footed effort towards goal, but Courtois is equal to it, making a comfortable save to keep Belgium within a goal. Spain continue to lead 1-0.

Spain finally make their pressure count! Dani Olmo's effort from a cross delivered from the right is blocked, but the deflection falls perfectly into the path of Fabián Ruiz, who calmly slots the ball past Thibaut Courtois to give La Roja a 1-0 lead.

Belgium are enjoying a better spell of possession but are struggling to break through Spain's well-organised midfield. The Red Devils will be hoping Kevin De Bruyne can produce a moment of magic to unlock the game, with the score still 0-0 after 27 minutes.

Hydration break
After 23 minutes the referee blows up and the players head to the touchline for a drink.

23 mins: Spain 0-0 Belgium

Spain win the ball high up the pitch, and it falls kindly to Yamal just outside the penalty area. The Barcelona star curls a left-footed effort just wide of the far post, coming agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock as Spain continue to pile on the pressure.

Belgium produce their best move of the match as Kevin De Bruyne wins possession in his own half and drives forward before finding Jérémy Doku. The winger weaves brilliantly through the middle and slips the ball to De Ketelaere on the right, but his goal-bound effort is blocked by the Spain defence.

Aymeric Laporte produces a superb last-ditch challenge to deny Charles De Ketelaere a clear run on goal after Belgium threatened on the counter. A crucial piece of defending keeps the score level at 0-0.

Spain win the first dangerous free-kick of the match after Lamine Yamal is brought down by Leandro Trossard just outside the left edge of the penalty area. Álex Baena's free-kick fails to trouble Belgium, but Spain quickly recycle possession and keep the attack alive. Rodri then unleashes a powerful strike from the edge of the area, only for Nathan Ngoy to make a crucial block before Belgium finally clear the danger.

Spain continue to dominate possession, with Marc Cucurella pushing high up the left flank to create an overload and give La Roja a numerical advantage in attack. Belgium remain compact and disciplined, looking to soak up the pressure, but are still waiting for the right moment to launch a counterattack.

Both sides are settling into the contest, with Spain dominating possession in the opening minutes. Belgium are content to sit deep and absorb the pressure, but Spain look threatening whenever they win the ball back and attack quickly.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium is underway at Los Angeles Stadium.

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans has been ruled out of the starting XI after failing to take part in the pre-match warm-up. Hans Vanaken comes into the lineup as a late replacement in a major setback for Belgium ahead of kick-off.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium is underway, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 a.m. IST (Saturday) at Los Angeles Stadium. A place in the semifinals against France awaits the winner.

Belgium make two changes to the side that thrashed the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16. Kevin De Bruyne returns to the starting XI in place of the injured Amadou Onana, who suffered an ACL injury, while Jérémy Doku replaces Dodi Lukebakio to add extra attacking threat against a Spain side yet to concede a goal at the tournament.

The Opta supercomputer gives Spain a 59.3% chance of winning in regulation time, while Belgium's chances stand at 18.3%. The model also estimates a 22.4% probability that the match will be level after 90 minutes, forcing the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal into extra time.

The biggest surprise in Spain's lineup is the absence of Pedri, who had started every match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 until now. Fabián Ruiz comes into the starting XI to replace the Barcelona midfielder for the quarterfinal against Belgium.

Thibaut Courtois (GK); Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper; Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans (C), Kevin De Bruyne; Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere.

Unai Simón (GK); Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri (C), Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal

Spain and Belgium will meet at the FIFA World Cup for the third time and for the first time in the 21st century. Their previous World Cup encounter came at Italy 1990, when Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium.

Belgium stormed into the quarterfinals with a commanding 4-1 win over hosts the United States, delivering one of the most dominant performances of the knockout stage.

Spain sealed its place in the last eight with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal, thanks to Mikel Merino's 91st-minute winner in the Round of 16.q

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium will be played at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, with kick-off scheduled for 1:00 p.m. local time (12:30 a.m. IST on July 11, Saturday).