Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026 highlights: Merino gives ESP win over BEL

De Ketelaere's goal means Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon's record of not conceding ended at 650 minutes without conceding in FIFA World Cup action.

Thanks to a goal in the 88th minute from super-sub Mikel Merino, Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in their quarter-final at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The win sets up a Spain vs France clash in the semi-final. In the first half, Fabian Ruiz gave Spain an 1-0 lead in the 30th minute before Charles De Ketelaere equalised in the 41st minute at Los Angeles. Spain have already knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Conceding a goal against Belgium ended a proud record: Spain were the only team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to not concede a goal at the tournament. De Ketelaere’s goal meant Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon’s record of not conceding in FIFA World Cup action ended at 650 minutes.

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Spain vs Belgium Football Live Score

This lofty standard of play clearly doesn’t scare Belgium, which is on a surging trajectory of its own heading into the teams’ World Cup quarter-final. While Spain has been Europe’s most consistent winner for the past 3 1/2 years, Belgium has played its way into position for what could be the final chance for its golden generation to do something spectacular together.

The tantalizing clash at SoFi Stadium matches a pre-tournament favorite and the reigning European champions against Belgium, which has never quite reached its full potential despite the big-money stars across its roster. The winner faces France in the Dallas area on Tuesday in the semifinals.

Scroll down for live updates from the Spain vs Belgium game

Live Updates
Jul 11, 2026 02:36 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: FULL-TIME!

It's going to be Spain versus France in the World Cup semi-finals after a late goal from Mikel Merino ends Belgium's campaign in the quarters. For the second game in a row, Merino has come thorough when it mattered most for Spain!

Now, we await the remaining two semi-finalists. here are the two remaining quarters:

Norway vs England

Argentina vs Switzerland

Jul 11, 2026 02:26 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: GOAL!

Mikel Merino, who gave Spain the win over Portugal, scores what could be -- should be -- the winner for Spain in this quarter-final as well!

Merino, came on as a sub just minutes ago, and he scores in 88th minute to give Spain a 2-1 lead! The goal came after teenaged central defender Pau Cubarsi ran through the midfield and shot at the Belgian goal. Senne Lemmens does well to block the shot, but he cannot parry it away out of harm's way. And Merino pounces on it, slotting it into goal!

Spain 2-1 Belgium

Jul 11, 2026 02:20 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: De Bruyne off !

After the substitution of Thibaut Courtois due to injury, we have Kevin de Bruyne making way with the 90th-minute mark approaching. Just before he was replaced, De Bruyne has earned a yellow card by pulling back a Spanish defender.

Jul 11, 2026 02:15 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: 10 mins left

Will we have to enter extra time to find a winner? Seems like it as 80 minutes have gone with the scores still 1-1. Spain have dominated possession and racked up almost three times as many passes as their opponents. But just the one goal, despite the chances so far.

After 80 minutes, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 02:08 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Courtois out

Thibaut Courtois, who has been the standout player for Belgium tonight, is subbed off in tears after picking up an injury which means he cannot continue! We don't know if we will see any more of Thibaut Courtois at the World Cup stage after this game.

Senne Lammens will take over from Thibaut Courtois. We have just over 20 minutes left in this game.

Jul 11, 2026 02:06 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: headed out!

Another chance for Spain, this time the ball is headed wide by Marc Cucurella after a neat build up.

Still 1-1.

Jul 11, 2026 01:57 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: CLOSE!

Another chance for Lamine Yamal, but once again the Belgian rock under the crossbar, Thibaut Courtois blocks the shot.

This is turning into a sumptuous battle between the two. And the winner of the battle could decide who goes through to the semis.

Jul 11, 2026 01:48 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: CLOSE!

Kevin de Bruyne starts the attack and strays the pass on the left flank. There, Doku runs past the defender before cutting the ball in. The ball finds itself into the feet of Maxim De Cuyper, whose shot flies into the side netting.

Jul 11, 2026 01:43 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: CLOSE

A throughball from a Spanish defender threads the Belgian defence and Yamal breaks behind the defenders to get on the end of the ball. His shot is blocked by Courtois by his torso. But it wouldn't have counted, because Yamal was offside. But good chance. Should wake up the Belgian defence after their half-time break.

Jul 11, 2026 01:40 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: here we go again

The second half is upon us! Both teams are deadlocked at 1-1 with Charles De Ketelaere's headed goal cancelling out Fabian Ruiz's strike.

Conceding a goal against Belgium ended a proud record: Spain were the only team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to not concede a goal. De Ketelaere's goal means Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon's record of not conceding in FIFA World Cup action ended at 650 minutes.

Jul 11, 2026 01:25 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: HALF-TIME

What an entertaining half we have had in Los Angeles! Both teams attacking with purpose with both teams scoring once each! Lamine Yamal was the entertainer of that half, even though he could not score a goal himself. That could change in the second half!

Jul 11, 2026 01:16 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: GOAL!

Belgium his back! Five minutes before half-time, Charles De Ketelaere resists the pressure on him from a Spanish defender to get at the end of a cross from the left flank and nod the ball into the Spanish goal! A flying header that!

After 41 mins, ESP 1-1 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 01:15 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: CLOSE!

A dribble, a turn of the hips, a shot! Lamine Yamal almost scores after a great move fro mthe right flank. His shot looks like it was headed into the goal, but curls slightly away which takes it into the side netting.

ESP 1-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 01:08 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: GOAL!

A smooth goal for Spain that started on the right flank before a cross came in. The move started from a pass from Yamal (who else!) who found Pedro Porro. Porro's cut back into the penalty area finds Dani Olmo. Olmo shoots, Thibaut Courtois saves! But the ball falls kindly to Fabian Ruiz, who drives the rebound into the net. The shot would have been stopped by Courtois but it took a wicked deflection off a defender's leg and bounced over the keeper.

ESP 1-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 01:00 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Hydration break

Lamine Yamal does some more impressing. Just before we take our first break for advertisements, sorry hydration, Yamal has an attempt at goal. But it's what he did in the build up that was impressive. He dribbles to his left right on the edge of the box before curling his shot just wide of the far post.

That was delightful to watch.

After 24 minutes, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 12:50 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Yamal ka kamaal

(Excuse that attempt to rhyme, we just could not help ourselves). But Lamine Yamal does two bits of delightful trickery with the ball. First, he falls back in defence to nick the ball off a Belgian players and then when he runs towards the Belgian goal, he does a turn off the ball that Cryuff would be proud of! the ball stops dead on the touchline without stepping out and tyhe crowd in SoFi stadium goes wild!

After 16 mins, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 12:46 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Chance

what a pass from Spain to unlock the Belgium defence. Buena breezes into the box to be at the end of the vertical pass, that was played over the Belgium defence. Buena tries his luck by shooting, but his shot is blocked by a defender. The ball hit the arm of the defender, but it was in a natural position close to his body, so no matter how much Buena appeals for a penalty that's not going in his favour.

After 14 mins, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 12:43 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Yellow

Not even 10 minutes gone and Trossard almost earns himself a booking after cynically pulling the arm of Yamal on Spain's left flank. The freekick is blocked off by Ngoy.

After 9 mins, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 12:42 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Doku Dazzles!

Doku, back in the Belgium side after missing the previous game, goes on a dazzling run through the midfield breezing past Porro and Olmo. eventually the move does not amount to much. But what a great display of skill early on the game.

After 7 minutes, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 12:35 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Early action

So a frantic start for the game already with both teams barging into each other's box. No real goalscoring opportunity though.

Meanwhile, Belgium suffered a late blow when they decided to withdraw skipper Tielemans. he did not participate in the warm-up. Let's hope it's not a major injury.

After 3 minutes, ESP 0-0 BEL

Jul 11, 2026 12:26 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: here we go!

The impressive SoFi Stadium looks resplendent as teams stand for the national anthems. We'll have kickoff in a heartbeat and a half.

Jul 11, 2026 12:21 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: 10 minutes away now

So the start of the second quarter-final is upon us! Spain vs Belgium in what promises to be a clash of European titans. Both players are walking out for the national anthems.

Jul 11, 2026 12:04 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Changes

Two changes by Belgium's Rudi Garcia then for today's game. Amadou Onana is out with injury (although he is at the stadium using crutches to support his teammates). Dodi Lukebakio has been dropped to the bench, as Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku come in.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente makes one change from the team that beat Portugal 1-0 in the last round. Pedri starts on the bench with Fabian Ruiz coming in to replace the Barcelona midfielder.

Jul 10, 2026 11:41 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium XI confirmed

Here's what Belgium's XI looks like:

1 COURTOIS

4 MECHELE

5 DE CUYPER

7 DE BRUYNE

8 TIELEMANS (captain)

10 TROSSARD

11 DOKU

17 DE KETELAERE

21 CASTAGNE

23 RASKIN

25 NGOY

Jul 10, 2026 11:41 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain XI confirmed

Here's what Spain's XI looks like:

23 SIMON

8 RUIZ

10 OLMO

12 PORRO

14 LAPORTE

15 BAENA

16 RODRI (captain)

19 YAMAL

21 OYARZABAL

22 CUBARSI

24 CUCURELLA

Jul 10, 2026 11:30 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: How Belgium celebrated their win over USA

Belgium went into the U.S. matchup with a world of indignant motivation after star American forward Folarin Balogun's one-game red-card suspension was curiously lifted by FIFA. The Red Devils took it out on an outclassed American team and then celebrated gleefully, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

In the most viral moment, many players did the simplistic dance associated with U.S. President Donald Trump and performed by numerous athletes across the sports world in recent months, including American star Christian Pulisic.

Belgium left back Diego Moreira smiled slightly when asked about the meaning of doing the dance after Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of Balogun's red card.

“There are different ways to celebrate different goals,” Moreira said through an interpreter. “You can do different dances, and that’s what we’ve done. We just celebrated the win after the game.”

Courtois said he wasn’t in the dressing room because he was at doping control, so he couldn't comment on the dance.

The Red Devils say they've put that cathartic evening behind them after landing for their second game of the tournament to be played at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area.

Jul 10, 2026 11:14 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium get serious

The Red Devils trained in the Los Angeles area on Wednesday with the memory still fresh of their 4-1 thrashing of the Americans in Seattle on Monday. After surviving a test from Senegal with a thrilling comeback and then thoroughly dominating the U.S. in its first two knockout games, Belgium faces its toughest challenge yet against unbeaten Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday.

But this tumultuous World Cup run has sparked something in this Belgian team, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes.

“We gained a lot of confidence, because we knew it was going to be a hard game against America,” Courtois said at the LA Galaxy's suburban stadium. “They’re obviously the home team with a full stadium (that's) with them, so it’s nice to perform in a good way defensive, offensively, and just play our game.”

Jul 10, 2026 10:58 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Luis de la Fuente speaks

Favourites? Who cares! Not Spain coach Luis de la Fuente for sure.

Ahead of the quarter-final against Belgium, when the Spanish coach was asked about the tag of favourites that Spain carry, he retorted: "I don't have any fear about being the favourite or not. The favouritism doesn't guarantee anything.

"What I can tell you is that we've done the work. We've prepared. We are ready for these kinds of games where, by the way, there are no favourites. Whoever's considered the favourite is just a matter of opinion. We have to think about our own game and we have to know that tomorrow the game will be tough. It will ⁠be the hardest that we've faced to this point. Belgium are a very powerful team. We have to be at our best to win."

Jul 10, 2026 10:30 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Injury concerns for Belgium

Belgium lost midfielder Amadou Onana to a knee injury this week, forcing a tactical change to preserve its defensive structure. That change might simply be the return of De Bruyne, who likely didn't play against the U.S. to keep him in top condition for Friday's match.

Jul 10, 2026 10:27 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: What's up with Lamine Yamal?

Yamal still hasn't broken out in his first World Cup, scoring only one goal for Spain. His teammates and coaches say they're quite satisfied with his overall tournament performance, which began with limited playing time in the group matches while he returned from a hamstring injury incurred in April with Barcelona.

“Maybe he hasn’t contributed goals, but he brings all the attack,” midfielder Gavi said. “He’s incredible. I hope that now if we win, hopefully in the semifinals or the final, too, if we win, then he scores goals so people understand what he does for us.”

De La Fuente praised Yamal for an excellent two-way performance against Portugal. The coach even credited Yamal for the fact that Nuno Mendes, who was attempting to mark Yamal, had to leave early in the second half with an injury.

“He’s very motivated,” De La Fuente said. “(Yamal) wants to do so much, and we know the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something we haven’t seen yet in this World Cup. He had to work on the defensive side quite a bit because we were facing a powerhouse of a rival. I think this was an exercise in maturity for Lamine. He’s going to perform on the attacking front, that’s clear. He’s got incredible potential, and it’s going to come.”

Jul 10, 2026 10:13 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: Who are the top scorers in today's game

While Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappe (and Norway's Erling Haaland, who's one goal behind the duo in the Golden Boot race) are leading the charts of top goalscorers in the ongoing World Cup, who are the leading marksmen for Spain and Belgium.

That would be Mikel Oyarzabal, with four goals and an assist for Spain, and Romelu Lukaku ( three goals, one assist) for Belgium

Jul 10, 2026 10:02 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: What a stat

Spain boast the most hardened defence in the FIFA World Cup. On their way to the quarter-finals, their defence has yet to be breached after five matches.

With this edition being the first in history to feature a Round of 32, that makes it the first time since Italy in 1990 that a team have reached this stage of the competition without a single goal conceded.

A cursory glance at the goals-against column will show that Spain are followed by France (two goals conceded), Switzerland (three), Morocco (four), England, Argentina and Belgium (five), and Norway (nine).

Jul 10, 2026 09:52 PM IST
Spain vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026: On Spain's strengths

Spain's defense has been impenetrable, with Rodri orchestrating the effort superbly from midfield. Goalkeeper Unai Simón has only had to make six saves in five World Cup matches, yet Belgium has enough offensive talent to make any goalkeeper work — including Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, veteran striker Lukaku, playmaker Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere, who had two goals against the Americans.

Lukaku likened the feeling of this match to the Red Devils' meeting with Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals eight years ago in Russia — a game his team won 2-1 in stunning fashion.

“Tomorrow we need to play the perfect game if we want to proceed,” said Lukaku, Belgium's career goals leader. “Spain is an excellent team. They’ve been playing the same type of football since 2008. They're well prepared, but we have certain assets that can make life difficult for them. We love the challenge.”

Jul 10, 2026 09:39 PM IST
HOLA

Hello and welcome to pour live coverage of the Spain vs Belgium game from the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup. The winner of today's clash runs into last edition's finalists France.

Mikel Merino’s invisible intrusion pushes Portugal out of the World Cup

From the shadows pounced Mikel Merino. He was not in the place he was meant to be. Yet here he was. Wigging through half a space the tired Portuguese defenders had left unmarked. Latching onto a needle-through-an-eye pass of Ferran Torres and coaxing the ball past an unsuspecting Diogo Costa.

Merino is seldom the hero before a game, little reams of newsprint is spent on his utilitarian affinities to influence a game. But not for the first time, he made the difference for his team, the difference between an exhaustive extra time and potential tiebreaker. The difference between Cristiano Ronaldo living another day and bidding farewell to a tournament that seldom has been his.

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