Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup: Mikel Merino scores the winner as ESP reach semifinals with 2-1 win

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Full Time! Mikel Merino once again made a decisive impact off the bench, scoring the winning goal as Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup quarterfinal. After Fabian Ruiz's opener was cancelled out by Charles De Ketelaere before half-time, Merino struck in the second half to seal Spain's place in the last four. It is Spain's first FIFA World Cup semifinal appearance since lifting the trophy in 2010, and they will now take on France for a place in the final. ESP 2-1 BEL Full Time!

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Aymeric Laporte with a last-ditch defending to stop Belgium from scoring the equaliser. We are in the injury time and Belgium are pushing hard for an equaliser but it might be a bit too late for them. ESP 2-1 BEL 90+ 3'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Mikel Merino scores the winner for Spain once again. He has done it again for Spain. This one also came via a shot on rebound. Spain has taken the lead in the final minutes of the game and is on the brink of sealing a spot in the World Cup semi-final. ESP 2-1 BEL 88'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Nico Williams in the middle as we might see Spain attacking from both flanks now. Belgium have managed to keep the scoreline same in the second half. Lamine Yamal still remains the key for Spain. ESP 1-1 BEL 82'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Thibaut Courtois leaves pitch in tears as he might have probably played his final World Cup game. Senne Lammens is protecting the goal for Belgium now. Spain are causing some serious trouble here but unable to break the deadlock. ESP 0-0 BEL 73'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Another shot from Lamine Yamal and Thibaut Courtois denied him. Both teams have already had a couple of changes. Pedri is in the middle for Spain, while Romelu Lukaku is also on the field here for Belgium. ESP 1-1 BEL 61'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Spain are passing the ball well, showing superiority over Belgium but they need a goal here to stamp their authority. Lamine Yamal has been causing some serious trouble, but Jeremy Doku, on the other side, is also looking to disrupt the momentum. ESP 1-1 BEL 55'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Lamine Yamal was through, but Thibaut Courtois came forward to stop the shot, but in the end it turned out to be offside too. This match is turning out to be box office. ESP 1-1 BEL 49'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Second half underway and Spain will be raring to regain the momentum after conceding a late goal in the first half.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: End of first half! This quarterfinal is living up to the hype so far. Spain controlled the game and scored the opening goal but Belgium bounced back in style to stun them to make it 1-1. The pressure is on Spain in the second half to gain the rhythm. ESP 1-1 BEL Half time

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Charles De Ketelaere has brought Belgium level with a superb header, becoming the first player to beat Unai Simon at this World Cup. Despite being closely marked inside the box, he rose brilliantly to guide the ball into the net. The goal underwent a brief VAR check before being confirmed, adding another twist to a quarterfinal that is living up to its billing.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Lamine Yamal has finally found some rhythm and the Belgian players are finding it tough to stop him. After the opening goal, Spain are controlling the game better than before. ESP 1-0 BEL 38'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Fabian Ruiz opens the scoring for Spain here. He gets into the starting line-up over Pedri. Dani Olmo took the initial shot but was saved by the keeper, and Ruiz scored on the rebound. ESP 1-0 BEL 30'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Lamine Yamal had a brief discussion with the Spain manager during the hydration break. The young forward has looked below his usual standards so far, giving away possession with a number of misplaced passes in what has been an uncharacteristically untidy start to the match. ESP 0-0 BEL 28'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Jeremy Doku's return has given Belgium a lift, with the winger looking lively and driving the team forward whenever he gets on the ball. Spain, meanwhile, have controlled large spells of the game and kept Belgium under pressure, but they have lacked the final pass to turn their dominance into clear-cut chances. ESP 0-0 BEL 17'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Spain won a free-kick after Leandro Trossard brought down Lamine Yamal in a dangerous area. Although the set-piece did not produce a goal, it sparked a series of attempts on the Belgian goal before the defence finally managed to clear the danger and survive the early pressure. ESP 0-0 BEL 11'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Spain have made a confident start, taking early control of possession and looking to stretch the Belgian defence. They nearly created the opening chance before Marc Cucurella's dangerous cross into the box was intercepted at the last moment. As expected, Spain have dominated the ball in the opening exchanges. ESP 0-0 BEL 5'

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Kick off at Los Angeles Stadium as Spain start favourites!

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: The players of both teams are out from tunnel and standing up for the national anthems of their respective nations.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: The winners of the World Cup quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium in Los Angeles will book a semifinal date with France. Les Bleus became the first team to reach the last four after defeating Morocco 2-0 earlier on Thursday, setting up a mouth-watering clash against the winners of this contest.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Spain have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals after winning all five of their matches while keeping a clean sheet in every game. Their solid defensive organisation, trademark possession-based approach and ability to create chances have made them one of the strongest contenders for the World Cup title.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Kevin De Bruyne returns to Belgium's starting XI, replacing Amadou Onana, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the Round of 16 victory over the United States. Jeremy Doku also comes into the lineup, adding more pace and creativity in attack, while Dodi Lukebakio drops to the bench as Belgium make two significant changes for the World Cup quarterfinal.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Fabian Ruiz slots into Spain's midfield alongside Rodri and Dani Olmo for the World Cup quarterfinal, with Pedri surprisingly dropping to the bench despite featuring in the victory over Portugal. The decision is one of the biggest talking points from Spain's team selection, as Luis de la Fuente opts for a midfield built around control and experience for the high-stakes clash against Belgium.

Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Spain manager Luis de la Fuente made one change for Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Belgium, dropping Pedri to the bench for Fabian Ruiz, while Rudi Garcia recalled Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku in two Belgium changes.

Belgium starting line-up: Thibaut Courtois; Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper, Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy; Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Nicolas Raski; Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku