The Spanish national team continued its journey towards the world title, after booking a qualification ticket to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, following its exciting victory over the Belgium national team, with a score of 2-1, in the confrontation hosted by the Los Angeles Stadium in the quarter-final competitions.
The beginning of the match was balanced between the two teams, before the Spanish national team succeeded in opening the scoring in the 30th minute, after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved a first attempt, setting the ball up for grabs. Fabian Ruiz did not hesitate to put it into the net, giving “La Roja” a deserved advantage.
The Belgian team refused to end the first half late, as Charles de Ketelier was able to equalize in the 41st minute, after taking advantage of a perfect cross from Timothy Castagne, and turning it with a powerful header into the goal, ending the first half in a positive draw. 1-1.
In the second half, Spain intensified its offensive pressure in search of a goal that would give it the pass, amid Belgian steadfastness and mutual attempts from both sides. As the match approached its decisive moments, Mikel Merino succeeded in scoring the winning goal, after shooting a ball that was initially cleared by Courtois, before Merino followed it into the net, giving his country a valuable goal that decided the confrontation.
With this victory, the Spanish team continues its distinguished journey in the tournament, and sets a fiery date with the French team in the semi-finals, in an anticipated confrontation that brings together two of the most prominent candidates to be crowned the World Cup champion. 2026.