The Spanish national team defeated Belgium 2:1 and advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decisive goal was scored by Mikel Merino, who came onto the field just two minutes before the goal. Now the Spaniards face a major European showdown with France.
The quarterfinal match turned out to be exactly what a knockout game should be: Spain's first conceded goal in the tournament, a forced substitution of Thibaut Courtois, a tense finish, and a resolution in the 88th minute.
With Spain's advancement, the first semifinal pairing of the World Cup has been formed. Current odds on the match outcome, reaching the final, totals, spreads, and tournament winner are available on Olimpbet.kz .
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Spain — Belgium 2:1: Result and Goal Scorers
| Minute | Player | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30' | Fabian Ruiz | Spain | 1:0 |
| 41' | Charles De Ketelaere | Belgium | 1:1 |
| 88' | Mikel Merino | Spain | 2:1 |
A Quarterfinal That Kept Everyone on Edge Until the End
Spain approached the match as one of the main favorites of the 2026 World Cup. The team confidently passed the previous stages, not conceding a single goal and demonstrating perhaps the most stable positional football among the remaining participants.
However, Belgium immediately made it clear that they were not going to play the role of a convenient opponent. The Belgians did not constantly try to win the ball high up the pitch but carefully closed down central areas and looked for opportunities for quick counterattacks.
Spain controlled the game more, but every Belgian attack looked potentially dangerous. As a result, the match turned into a tactical battle between two teams using space differently.
Fabian Ruiz Joined the Attack from Deep Again
The score was opened in the 30th minute. Fabian Ruiz read the development of the attack well, joined the play from deep, and found himself in a position to finish.
This goal reflects one of Spain's strengths well. The team does not rely solely on forwards: central midfielders, full-backs, and players entering free spaces in the second wave regularly create danger.
After the goal, the Spaniards tried to calm the game through ball possession. But Belgium did not crumble and responded before halftime.
De Ketelaere Ended Spain's Clean Sheet Streak
In the 41st minute, Charles De Ketelaere equalized. Belgium quickly moved the ball forward and took advantage of the fact that the Spanish defense had not fully regained its positions.
This goal was Spain's first conceded goal in the 2026 World Cup. Before facing Belgium, the team had kept their goal intact at all stages of the tournament.
Belgium was the first team in the tournament to score against Spain. But even after losing their clean sheet, the Spaniards did not abandon their style of play and continued to systematically seek the winning goal.
Why Belgium Created So Many Problems for Spain
The Belgians did not try to compete with Spain in the number of passes. Their plan revolved around compact defense, quick transitions, and the individual quality of attacking players.
Spain had to constantly control the space behind their midfield line. Any loss could open the door for a counterattack, so the Spaniards could not always involve the maximum number of players in the attack.
Moreover, the Belgian team successfully slowed the pace in the central area and forced the opponent to move the game to the flanks more often. There, Spain created pressure but did not always find a target in the penalty area.
Thibaut Courtois' Injury Changed the Nature of the Finish
In the 71st minute, Belgium lost Thibaut Courtois. The experienced goalkeeper suffered a thigh injury and could not continue the match.
He was replaced by Senne Lammens. The backup goalkeeper had to step into a competitive World Cup quarterfinal without full preparation, where any mistake could end the tournament for the team.
Belgium continued to hold the score at 1:1 and gradually approached extra time. But Spain maintained the pressure and eventually got their chance.
Mikel Merino Came On for Two Minutes and Became a Hero Again
Mikel Merino appeared on the field in the 86th minute. Just two minutes later, he was at the center of the decisive moment.
After a shot on goal, Lammens failed to securely hold the ball. Merino reacted faster than the defenders to the rebound and sent it into the net — 2:1.
The winning goal highlighted the depth of the Spanish squad. Luis de la Fuente received a result from a player who had been on the field for just a few minutes but was fully prepared for the crucial moment of the match.
For Merino, this was already his second consecutive decisive goal in the knockout stage. Previously, he had brought Spain a narrow victory over Portugal.
Two Matches — Two Late Goals by Merino
| Stage | Match | Result | Merino's Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | Spain — Portugal | 1:0 | Scored the winning goal |
| Quarterfinal | Spain — Belgium | 2:1 | Came on in the 86th minute and scored in the 88th |
Spain's Path to the Semifinal of the 2026 World Cup
| Stage | Opponent | Score | Main Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Austria | 3:0 | Confident victory and complete control |
| Round of 16 | Portugal | 1:0 | Late winning goal by Mikel Merino |
| Quarterfinal | Belgium | 2:1 | First conceded goal and another late victory |
Why Spain Looks Ready to Compete for the World Cup
Spain wins matches in various ways. Against Austria, the team dominated and achieved a large result. In the game against Portugal, they had to wait until the very end. Belgium was the first to break Spain's perfect defensive record, but the Spaniards still found a way to win.
This kind of versatility is a crucial quality for a title contender. The deeper a team goes in the tournament, the less likely matches will unfold according to a pre-prepared script.
Spain knows how to control the ball, press, play through the flanks, and utilize players from the bench. At the same time, the team maintains emotional stability even after unsuccessful episodes.
Belgium Exits the Tournament After a Respectable Playoff
Belgium concludes its participation in the 2026 World Cup, but the team left a notable mark in the playoffs. In the Round of 16, the Belgians defeated Senegal 3:2, and then crushed the tournament hosts — the USA — 4:1.
In the quarterfinals, the Belgians became the first team to score against Spain and maintained real chances for extra time until the last minutes.
The main disappointment was Courtois' injury. It cannot be said that it solely determined the outcome, but losing the starting goalkeeper at the end of such a match seriously complicated Belgium's situation.
France — Spain: The First Semifinal of the 2026 World Cup
France and Spain have formed the first semifinal pairing of the 2026 World Cup. Both teams reached this stage thanks to stability, squad depth, and the ability to handle tough matches.
France won 2:0 against Morocco in the quarterfinals. The French did not concede a single goal in three playoff matches and reaffirmed their status as one of the tournament's most reliable teams.
Spain conceded for the first time but showed another important quality — the ability to respond to problems during the match. This makes the upcoming semifinal particularly interesting.
France and Spain: A Comparison Before the Semifinal
| Indicator | France | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal | Victory over Morocco 2:0 | Victory over Belgium 2:1 |
| Main Style | Vertical attacks and speed | Ball control and positional pressure |
| Main Advantage | Individual class and quick transitions | Structure and depth of midfield |
| Main Risk | Long periods of play without the ball | Counterattacks after losses |
| Quarterfinal Hero | Kylian Mbappe | Mikel Merino |
Where the Semifinal France — Spain May Be Decided
Spain will try to deny France space through prolonged ball possession and quick returns to defense after losses. It is especially important for the Spaniards not to allow Mbappe and other fast players to receive the ball in open spaces.
France does not necessarily need to dominate possession. The team knows how to defend compactly for long periods and then transition the ball to the opponent's goal in just a few passes.
Therefore, one of the key elements will be the quality of Spain's counter-pressing. If France regularly escapes pressure, Spain may face the most serious problems of the tournament.
Updated BET RATING Favorites Index
| Position | Team | Status | Dynamics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | Three consecutive clean victories in the playoffs | Up |
| 2 | Spain | Defeated Portugal and Belgium with late goals | Up |
| 3 | Argentina | Continuing the defense of the championship title | Stable |
| 4 | England | Strong squad, but facing a dangerous Norway ahead | Neutral |
| 5 | Norway | The main revelation of the tournament after defeating Brazil | Up |
What to Consider Before Betting on the Semifinal
France and Spain are in excellent form but use different playing models. France is particularly dangerous in transitional phases, while Spain knows how to control the ball for long periods and limit the number of opponent attacks.
On Olimpbet.kz , you can follow the line for the 2026 World Cup semifinal: main outcome, reaching the final, totals, spreads, both teams to score, and individual statistics.
Before making a prediction, it is important to wait for information about the lineups and the condition of the players. At this stage, even the loss of one key player can significantly change the balance of power.
BET RATING Prediction
France looks slightly more dangerous due to speed and an ideal defensive record in the playoffs. However, Spain is capable of denying the French their usual space and forcing them to play most of the match without the ball.
Most likely, the match will be cautious. Both teams understand the cost of the first mistake, so they may pay more attention to risk control at the start of the match.
The main intrigue is whether Spain's midfield can stop France's quick transitions. If they can, Spain will have good chances to reach the final. If not, Mbappe and his teammates could punish the opponent even for a single unsuccessful loss.
FAQ: Spain — Belgium and the 2026 World Cup Semifinal
How did the match Spain — Belgium end?
Spain defeated Belgium 2:1 and advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup.
Who scored the goals in the match Spain — Belgium?
Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino scored for Spain. The only goal for Belgium was scored by Charles De Ketelaere.
Who scored the winning goal?
The winning goal in the 88th minute was scored by Mikel Merino, who came onto the field in the 86th minute.
Why was Thibaut Courtois substituted?
The Belgian goalkeeper suffered a thigh injury and left the field in the 71st minute. He was replaced by Senne Lammens.
Who will Spain play in the semifinals?
In the semifinals, Spain will face the French national team.
When will the match France — Spain take place?
The semifinal will take place on July 14, 2026, at 22:00 Moscow time.
Conclusion
Spain defeated Belgium 2:1 and became the second semifinalist of the 2026 World Cup. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring, Charles De Ketelaere equalized, and Mikel Merino again brought his team a late victory.
Belgium became the first opponent to score against Spain in the tournament but could not hold the draw after Thibaut Courtois' injury and a tense finish.
Now we await one of the main matches of the entire World Cup — France against Spain. Follow the latest news, analysis, and predictions on BET RATING, and check the current odds for the 2026 World Cup on Olimpbet.kz .
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