Spain's national football team advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup 2026 after defeating Belgium 2-1 on July 11, 2026. This victory sets up a highly anticipated match against France, marking only Spain's second appearance in a World Cup semifinal.
Match Overview: Spain vs. Belgium
The match began with Fabian Ruiz scoring for Spain in the 30th minute, converting a rebound after Thibaut Courtois's initial save. Belgium equalized shortly after with a powerful header from Charles De Ketelaere, ending Spain's impressive run of 649 minutes without conceding a goal in the tournament.
The second half proved challenging for Belgium, especially when Courtois suffered a thigh injury and had to leave the game in the 77th minute, visibly emotional. His replacement, Senne Lammens, faced immediate pressure, as he was unable to stop a shot from falling to Mikel Merino, who scored the winning goal just 100 seconds after entering the match.
Spain's Road to the Semifinals
Spain's journey in the World Cup has been remarkable. They have demonstrated resilience and skill, culminating in this semifinal appearance. Their previous semifinal was in 2010, where they emerged victorious, ultimately winning the tournament.
