World Cup 2026 Stadium Atlas
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M98 · Quarter-finalFri, Jul 10 · 12:00 local
Spain
ESP
vs
SoFi Stadium · Inglewood
Belgium
BEL

Match report

21

Spain edge a thriller to reach the semi-finals. Fabián Ruiz curls them ahead, De Ketelaere levels — the first goal Spain have conceded all tournament — and super-sub Mikel Merino wins it two minutes after coming on, pouncing when Belgium's back-up keeper Lammens spills Cubarsí's long shot. Spain meet France in the last four.

ControversyCourtois off, Lammens' clanger

Belgium lost Thibaut Courtois to a second-half injury, and it decided the tie: back-up Senne Lammens spilled Cubarsí's long-range effort straight to Merino for the 88th-minute winner. Belgium's night turned on the goalkeeper change — how much does that howler cost them?

StorylineMerino, the super-sub, again

On in the 86th, Merino scored on his second touch, barely two minutes later. It's his second straight knockout winner off the bench after his 91st-minute strike sank Portugal in the Round of 16. Should he be starting the semi-final?

StatThe clean-sheet streak is over

De Ketelaere's 41st-minute equaliser was the first goal Spain had conceded all tournament, ending a record clean-sheet run. A rare wobble at the back for La Roja right before they meet France's attack.

StatDominance by the numbers

Spain racked up 2.08 xG from 16 shots to Belgium's 0.38 from 5 — statistically a rout that a Lammens save or two nearly turned into extra time. The scoreline flattered Belgium.

DebateSpain–France: the tie of the round

An all-European semi-final between two of the favourites — and it lands just as France sweat on Mbappé's ankle. Is this the de facto final, a round early?

Timeline

  1. 30'Fabián Ruiz
  2. 41'Charles De Ketelaere
  3. 88'Mikel Merino

Head-to-head — match stats

16
5Total shotsESP vs BEL
2.08
0.38Expected goals (xG)ESP vs BEL

Spain · Group H

2W-1D-0L · 5-0 (+5)
  • D0-0H Cape VerdeMon, Jun 15
  • W4-0H Saudi ArabiaSun, Jun 21
  • W1-0A UruguayFri, Jun 26

Belgium · Group G

1W-2D-0L · 6-2 (+4)
  • D1-1H EgyptMon, Jun 15
  • D0-0H IranSun, Jun 21
  • W5-1A New ZealandFri, Jun 26

Head-to-head — group stage

5
Goals scored
6
0
Goals conceded
2
0
Cards (Y / R)
1

Stat coverage is incomplete in some games — bars show only what was recorded.

Best players — Spainover the group stage

  • 21F
    Mikel Oyarzabal
    Forward
    Group: 2G · 1 apps
  • 19F
    Lamine Yamal
    Forward · Barcelona (ESP)
    Group: 1G · 1 apps
    Club 2025-26 La Liga: 37 apps · 14G · 16A
  • 15F
    Álex Baena
    Midfielder · Atlético Madrid (ESP)
    Group: 0G · 1 apps
    Club 2025-26 La Liga: 33 apps · 8G · 11A
Most-used shape: 4-3-3

Best players — Belgiumover the group stage

  • 22F
    Alexis Saelemaekers
    Forward
    Group: 0G · 1 apps
  • ·
    Arthur Theate
    Squad member
    Group: 0G · 1 apps
  • 4D
    Brandon Mechele
    Defender
    Group: 0G · 1 apps
Most-used shape: 4-2-3-1

Spain scouting

Biggest strength

Possession suffocation — highest possession % across the group stage.

Biggest weakness

Finishing on the move — created big chances, missed a fair share.

Belgium scouting

Biggest strength

Direct attack via Doku and Lukaku — punished New Zealand 5-1 to top Group G.

Biggest weakness

Defensive line cohesion when stretched.