World Cup: Spain set-up meeting with France thanks to last-gasp win over Belgium

Mikel Merino netted a late winner for Spain as they edged Belgium (2-1) in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ruiz on target

Spain got through to this stage thanks to a slender win over Portugal in the semi-finals. It was Merino, off the bench, who netted an injury-time winner on that occasion and it was a similar situation once again in Los Angeles on Friday.

Before the late drama, it was PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz who got the opener for La Roja, popping up with an opportunistic finish from inside the box. It left Les Diables Rouges with a mountain to climb. Granted, Belgium only needed one goal, but Spain were yet to concede in this whole tournament, with Unai Simon proving to be something of a man mountain for Rudi Garcia's side.

However, he was finally beaten and it was Charles De Ketelaere who broke Simon's long run without conceding with a close-range header.

First World Cup goal for Fabián Ruiz! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2Nmvq5QTfK
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 10, 2026

The second half was a tight affair. Belgium were excellent defensively, conceding few clear-cut chances. When they did get through, Thibaut Courtois, perhaps competing in his final World Cup, was equal to the efforts from Luis de la Fuente's side.

But then came the turning point just after the second-half hydration break. Moments before, Courtois had gone down injured and, in tears, he was forced off. Manchester United's Senne Lammens replaced him.

A repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-finals

Belgium's defence did an excellent job of protecting him but when he was called into action, he was not decisive. It was a simple long-range effort that he spilt right in front of him. Merino had only come on in the 85th minute but he was sharp to react, pouncing on the loose ball and putting it past the Belgian goalkeeper with just two minutes to spare.

Belgium, who beat the USA and Senegal to get to this point, crash out. Spain progress and will face France once again. The neighbouring nations met each other at Euro 2024, which La Roja would ultimately go on to win. Didier Deschamps, in his final tournament as manager of Les Bleus, will look for revenge when they meet in Dallas next Tuesday.

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