Spain triumphed over Belgium 2-1 on July 11, 2026, at the Los Angeles Stadium, securing a place in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
Why it matters: This victory marks Spain's return to the semifinals since their last appearance in 2010, when they went on to win the tournament. Their performance against Belgium highlights both their resilience and tactical prowess under coach Luis de la Fuente.
Spain's last semifinal appearance was during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where they emerged as champions.
The upcoming semifinal against France on July 15, 2026, will be a rematch of previous encounters where Spain has had recent success.
Belgium's exit means they have not reached the semifinals since the 2018 World Cup, where they finished third.
Driving the news: The match began with Spain dominating possession, and their efforts paid off in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz scored the opening goal. Dani Olmo's initial shot was saved by Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but Ruiz was quick to react and netted the rebound.
Spain maintained control of the match until Belgium equalized in the 41st minute through Charles De Ketelaere, who scored with a header from Timothy Castagne's cross.
This goal ended Spain's impressive run of five consecutive matches without conceding a goal in the tournament.
After halftime, Spain made tactical substitutions, bringing in players like Ferran Torres and Pedri to regain their offensive edge.
State of play: The second half saw a shift in momentum when Courtois was forced to leave the field due to injury in the 66th minute, replaced by Senne Lammers. This change proved costly for Belgium.
In the 88th minute, Mikel Merino capitalized on a mistake by Lammers, scoring the decisive goal that secured Spain's victory.
Spain's defense, led by goalkeeper Unai Simon, held firm against Belgium's late attempts to equalize, preserving their one-goal lead.
Merino's goal marked his second consecutive match-winning strike, having also scored in the previous round against Portugal.
The big picture: Spain's tactical approach, which emphasizes fluid movement and collective play, has been effective in this tournament. Coach Luis de la Fuente's decision to start Ruiz over Pedri proved beneficial, as Ruiz delivered a strong performance, including the opening goal.
Spain's strategy has been criticized for lacking a traditional center forward, relying instead on players like Merino and Torres to fill that role.
With an expected goals (xG) of 11.83 over the tournament so far, Spain's ability to convert chances into goals remains a concern.
De la Fuente is praised for his bold decisions, maintaining a balance between star power and team cohesion.
What they're saying: Post-match reactions from players and analysts highlight the importance of teamwork and adaptation.
"We showed resilience and determination, especially after conceding the equalizer," Merino said after the match.
Coach De la Fuente emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "We must convert our chances more effectively as we face tougher opponents ahead."
Analysts noted that Spain's tactical flexibility could be key in the upcoming semifinal against France, who are also strong contenders for the title.
By the numbers: The match statistics reveal Spain's dominance in possession and opportunities.
Spain had 62% possession compared to Belgium's 38%, indicating their control over the game.
Shots on goal were 14 for Spain and 8 for Belgium, showing Spain's attacking intent.
Spain's defense managed to block 5 shots, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a solid backline.
What's next: Spain will prepare for the semifinal against France, scheduled for July 15, 2026, at the Dallas Stadium.
This match will be a test of Spain's attacking capabilities against a formidable French defense.
Fans are eager to see if Spain can build on this momentum and secure a spot in the final.
With both teams having a history of close contests, the semifinal will likely be an exciting clash.
As the tournament progresses, Spain's focus will be on refining their finishing skills to capitalize on scoring opportunities against top-tier opponents like France.