Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium, progressing to face France in the World Cup semi-finals. The decisive goal came late in the match from Mikel Merino, who capitalised on an error by Belgium‘s substitute goalkeeper, Senne Lammens. This win sets up a highly anticipated encounter against France in Dallas on July 14.
The match saw Fabian Ruiz open the scoring for Spain, but Charles De Ketelaere netted an equaliser for Belgium. Merino‘s goal, scored just minutes after Lammens replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois, ultimately sealed Spain‘s path to the next stage. This marks Spain‘s pursuit of their first World Cup final appearance since their victory in 2010.
Spain’s Strategic Play and Key Performances
Spain‘s approach throughout the game was characterised by patience, allowing them to convert their best opportunities. Despite periods where Belgium contained them, Spain‘s ability to score quickly proved crucial. Coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted the team’s conviction and potential, stating that they are capable of winning against France, whom he described as a “great giant of football.”
Midfielder Rodri played a central role, demonstrating leadership and precise passing. He managed 118 touches and covered extensive ground, showcasing his dominant presence. His performance is expected to be vital in the upcoming semi-final against France.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon also featured prominently, having maintained a record of 609 World Cup minutes without conceding a goal across six consecutive clean sheets dating back to the 2022 tournament. Although Charles De Ketelaere‘s goal ended this impressive run at 649 minutes, Simon had already surpassed the previous men’s World Cup record of 517 minutes set by Italy‘s Walter Zenga in 1990. De la Fuente praised Simon‘s exceptional skill and acknowledged the team effort behind his record.
Impact of Substitutions and Belgian Challenges
Mikel Merino‘s late winner against Belgium was not his first such contribution; he also scored the winning goal as a substitute against Portugal in the last 16. De la Fuente lauded Merino as a complete and versatile player capable of performing at a high level across various positions, including pivot, six, eight, 10, and false nine.
Fabian Ruiz, who started in place of Pedri, contributed significantly with a goal. He has been directly involved in five goals across eight career starts for Spain in major tournaments, demonstrating remarkable efficiency. De la Fuente underscored the importance of every player’s contribution, regardless of whether they are in the starting XI.
For Belgium, the match was marked by the unfortunate injury to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, leading to Senne Lammens‘ unexpected entry. Lammens, making only his third international appearance, made a critical error that led to Spain‘s winning goal. This exit extends Belgium‘s run of losing four straight World Cup knockout ties against fellow European sides, a pattern that has repeated since their last victory against a European opponent at this stage in 1986, which was against Spain.
The match also saw Charles De Ketelaere join Romelu Lukaku and Jan Ceulemans as Belgium‘s joint-top scorers in World Cup knockout matches with three goals each. For Kevin De Bruyne, the 35-year-old Belgian, this World Cup appearance felt like his last.
Anticipation for the Semi-Final
The upcoming semi-final between Spain and France is generating considerable excitement. Spain‘s teenage forward, Lamine Yamal, expressed confidence in his team, stating that France should be wary. Yamal‘s comments carry weight given Spain‘s recent successes against France, including a 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 semi-final, where he became the youngest scorer in European Championship history, and a 5-4 win in a UEFA Nations League semi-final in June 2025.
These consecutive semi-final victories have provided Spain with psychological leverage. Yamal‘s exceptional form throughout the tournament, with standout performances noted through the quarter-final stage, including against Belgium, further fuels this confidence. The rivalry between Spain and France has become a compelling storyline of the tournament.
Luis de la Fuente, who is nearing 50 games in charge of Spain with only two losses, has been praised for his management style and ability to handle elite players. His strategic decisions, such as starting Fabian Ruiz over Pedri, are based on thorough analysis and contribute to the team’s strength. The semi-final clash between Spain and France is scheduled for July 14 in Dallas.
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Source: nytimes.com
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
