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Spain records a hard-fought victory over Belgium and qualifies for the
Teams 12 July 2026

Spain records a hard-fought victory over Belgium and qualifies for the

Spain continues to amaze at the 2026 World Cup and is in the semi-finals after a narrow victory over Belgium. Mikel Merino scored the winning goal, while Belgium were without the injured Courtois and Tielemans. La Roja extends its impressive unbeaten run and can prepare for a semi-final against France.

Spain records a hard-fought victory over Belgium and qualifies for the

According to Tuttomercatoweb.

Background

Mikel Merino's winning goal against Belgium shows his growing influence within the team. As part of Spain's core, he plays a crucial role in midfield, which could be vital to their semi-final performance. With the focus on 2026 World Cup football, his contribution to the team will be of great importance.

Why this matters

Spain's victory over Belgium in the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup highlights the strength and resilience of La Roja. With this win, Spain extends its unbeaten run to 37 matches, bringing them closer to Italy's European record. This success strengthens their season outlook and puts them in a strong position for the semi-final against France.

Key points

  • Spain records a hard-fought victory over Belgium and qualifies for the.
  • Spain continues to amaze at the 2026 World Cup and is in the semi-finals after a narrow victory over Belgium.
  • Mikel Merino remains central to Spagna's plans.

Spain's national team continues its remarkable run at the 2026 World Cup. In a spectacle against Belgium, La Roja won 2-1 and once again reached the semi-finals of the world championship. For Spain it is the 37th consecutive game without a defeat, which means that the formation is still one game away from Italy's European record under Roberto Mancini.

The quarter-final match had a tentative opening phase, in which both teams did not play full of risks. Spain gradually took the initiative, with the young Lamine Yamal as a standout on the right. It was also Yamal who launched an attack from which Fabián Ruiz opened the score: 1-0 for Spain.

However, Belgium showed resilience after this setback and showed its character. Charles De Ketelaere headed in the equalizer, good for the first goal that Spain had to concede at this World Cup and also the end of an unbeaten run for goalkeeper Unai Simón, who had previously gone 650 minutes without conceding a goal - a new record at this tournament.

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In the second act Spain started, but Belgium held on well. Yamal continued to threaten as Courtois underlined why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the World Cup before an injury forced him off the field. In the meantime, Belgium also had to deal with the withdrawal of Tielemans before the match and the inability to play De Bruyne, which weakened the Red Devils.

Ultimately, Spain's wide selection was the deciding factor. Substitute Mikel Merino took advantage of a rebound and shot Spain to the semi-finals with a striking header. Afterwards, national coach Luis de la Fuente praised the 'character' of his group and the quality of Merino: "With players like Merino you can always make a difference. We look forward to the semi-final against France with confidence."

Belgian national coach Rudi Garcia expressed disappointment about the defeat, but also recognized the value of theopponent. "You can't make mistakes at this level. We urgently had to miss important players, which affected us."

While Belgium drops out disappointed, Spain continues to dream of a possible world title. France awaits in the semi-finals, a new test for this indomitable Spanish team.

What's happening now

Spain are now preparing for the semi-final against France, a crucial match that could determine their 2026 World Cup ambitions. The team will have to continue to perform under pressure, especially with young Lamine Yamal playing a key role in their attacking strategy. The absence of important players for Belgium, such as Courtois and Tielemans, could also influence the dynamics of the coming matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of the Spain vs. Belgium match?

Spain won the match 2-1 against Belgium.

What is the impact of this victory on the standings in the 2026 World Cup?

With this victory, Spain qualifies for the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

Who scored the goals for Spain in the match against Belgium?

Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain and Mikel Merino scored the winning goal.

When will Spain play its next match in the 2026 World Cup?

Spain's next match is the 2026 World Cup semi-final, but the exact date has not been stated.

How many games has Spain won in a row without losing?

Spain now has 37 consecutive games without defeat.

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