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Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, securing a semifinal meeting with France.
Fabian Ruiz and substitute Mikel Merino scored for Spain, while Charles De Ketelaere netted Belgium's only goal in a match that was tied 1-1 at halftime.
Spain will face France, which advanced after eliminating Morocco. The semifinal is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, in Dallas, kicking off at 7 p.m. GMT.
Spain took the lead in the 30th minute after Pedro Porro broke down the right and found Dani Olmo inside the box. Courtois stopped Olmo's initial shot, but Ruiz followed up from close range to put Spain ahead.
Belgium equalized in the 41st minute with its first dangerous attack of the match. Timothy Castagne delivered a cross from the right, and De Ketelaere headed the ball into the net at the near post.
The match remained evenly balanced until the closing minutes before Merino made the difference. The midfielder came on in the 86th minute and scored just two minutes later, tapping in the rebound after Senne Lammens pushed away Pau Cubarsi's shot.
Merino also came off the bench to score Spain's winning goal against Portugal in the round of 16, entering in the 85th minute before finding the net in the 91st.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois left the match in the 71st minute because of a left leg injury and was replaced by Senne Lammens. Courtois was visibly emotional as he returned to the bench.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon also conceded his first goal of the tournament, ending a World Cup shutout streak that had reached 650 minutes.
Before facing Belgium, Simon had last conceded at a World Cup in the 51st minute of Spain's final group-stage match against Japan at the 2022 tournament. Belgium's goal also ended Spain's run as the only team that had not conceded during the 2026 World Cup.
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