Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final in Inglewood, California, on Friday after Mikel Merino scored the winner in the 88th minute.
Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored two minutes later after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilt Pau Cubarsi’s shot. Lammens had replaced Thibaut Courtois in the 71st minute after an apparent leg injury.
Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute after Dani Olmo’s shot forced a save from Courtois. Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium in the 41st minute with a header from Timothy Castagne’s cross.
Belgium’s goal ended Unai Simon’s World Cup shutout run at 650 minutes, dating back to the 2022 tournament. Aymeric Laporte later cleared the ball near the goal line in second-half stoppage time to protect Spain’s lead.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans was scratched from the starting line-up after an injury in warm-ups. Hans Vanaken replaced him.
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Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010. Spain will face France in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday for a place in the July 19 final.
Belgium’s 18-match unbeaten run ended, while Spain extended their unbeaten streak to a team record of 36 matches.
