Spain Belgium
Spain won 2-1 against Belgium in quarterfinals
Mikel Merino / Youri Tielemans / Fabián Ruiz / Thibaut Courtois / Inglewood, United States / FIFA / World Cup /

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Last Updated
8/4/2026
Articles
1319
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The Breakdown 100

  • In a thrilling World Cup quarterfinal match, Spain triumphed over Belgium 2-1, securing their spot in the semifinals with a late goal from Mikel Merino in the 88th minute.
  • Merino's decisive strike came after a critical rebound from Belgium's substitute goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, showcasing Spain's resilience and tactical acumen.
  • Belgium faced a setback as captain Youri Tielemans was injured during warm-ups, forcing changes that disrupted their strategy against the formidable Spanish side.
  • Fabián Ruiz kicked off the scoring for Spain, but it was Merino's late-game heroics that sealed Belgium's elimination, sending Spain into a high-stakes matchup with France.
  • The match amplified discussions around Belgium's disappointing performance given their status as pre-tournament favorites, spotlighting the expectations placed on their talented squad.
  • Spain, buoyed by tactical decisions from manager Luis de la Fuente, appears poised to vie for their second World Cup title, revitalizing hopes of a return to glory reminiscent of their 2010 championship run.

Top Keywords

Mikel Merino / Youri Tielemans / Fabián Ruiz / Thibaut Courtois / Luis de la Fuente / Senne Lammens / Charles De Ketelaere / Inglewood, United States / FIFA / World Cup /

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