Mikel Merino (front) of Spain celebrates scoring with his teammate during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
LOS ANGELES, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner for the second consecutive match as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 here on Friday to book its first FIFA World Cup semifinal appearance since 2010, setting up a last-four clash against France in Dallas next Tuesday.
Merino had also come off the bench to score the winner in Spain's 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16, while the Red Devils cruised past co-host the United States 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals.
Spain opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz fired home the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had parried Dani Olmo's first-time effort from Pedro Porro's low cross following a run by Lamine Yamal.
The Red Devils equalized in the 41st minute after Timothy Castagne delivered a cross from the right and Charles De Ketelaere rose ahead of Pau Cubarsi to head past Unai Simon, ending La Roja's run of six consecutive clean sheets at the FIFA World Cup.
De Ketelaere's goal also ended Simon's World Cup record of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding.
Belgium suffered a setback in the 71st minute when Courtois was forced off injured after making his 21st FIFA World Cup appearance, the second-most among goalkeepers behind Germany's Manuel Neuer (23).
Merino struck the decisive goal in the 88th minute, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute. Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold Pau Cubarsi's long-range effort, allowing the Spanish midfielder to pounce on the loose ball from close range.
La Roja held on for the 2-1 victory to return to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
The victory extended Spain's unbeaten run in regular time to 36 matches, dating back to their 0-1 friendly defeat to Colombia in 2024. ■
Marc Cucurella of Spain competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Romelu Lukaku (2nd L) of Belgium shoots during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Romelu Lukaku (C) of Belgium reacts after missing a chance to score during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Unai Simon (1st R), goalkeeper of Spain makes a save during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Brandon Mechele of Belgium reacts after the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Unai Simon (top), goalkeeper of Spain makes a save during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of Spain celebrate scoring during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Romelu Lukaku (1st R) of Belgium reacts after missing a chance to score during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Unai Simon (L), goalkeeper of Spain pulls up Romelu Lukaku (C) of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Unai Simon (top), goalkeeper of Spain makes a save during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Mikel Merino (2nd L) of Spain shoots to score during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Ferran Torres (R) of Spain jumps for a header during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Mikel Merino (2nd R) of Spain shoots to score during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Romelu Lukaku (L) of Belgium reacts during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Fabian Ruiz (3rd R) of Spain shoots to score during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Pedri of Spain competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Romelu Lukaku (L) of Belgium competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Mikel Merino (1st R) of Spain shoots to score during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Kevin De Bruyne (C) of Belgium competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Lamine Yamal (1st R) of Spain shoots during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Fabian Ruiz (2nd L) of Spain vies with Kevin De Bruyne (1st L) of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Players of Spain celebrate scoring during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Thibaut Courtois (L), goalkeeper of Belgium makes a save during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Rodri (1st L) of Spain competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Rodri (C) of Spain vies with Kevin De Bruyne (L) of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Charles De Ketelaere (front) of Belgium vies with Fabian Ruiz of Spain during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of both sides jump for a header during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Alex Baena (up) of Spain vies with Timothy Castagne of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Thibaut Courtois (L), goalkeeper of Belgium makes a save during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Charles De Ketelaere (R) of Belgium scores with a header during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Alex Baena (C) of Spain shoots during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Pedro Porro (L) of Spain vies with Charles De Ketelaere of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Jeremy Doku (R) of Belgium vies with Pedro Porro of Spain during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Unai Simon (L), goalkeeper of Spain vies with Hans Vanaken of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Charles De Ketelaere (up) of Belgium vies with Aymeric Laporte of Spain during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Lamine Yamal (L) of Spain competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Unai Simon (L), goalkeeper of Spain vies with Hans Vanaken of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Rodri (L) of Spain vies with Nicolas Raskin of Belgium during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Dani Olmo (R) of Spain competes during the quarter final match between Spain and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
