2026 World Cup: Spain eliminate Belgium 2-1 in quarter-final
Spain confirmed their status as an implacable force at the 2026 World Cup by eliminating Belgium 2-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in the quarter-final played on July 10, 2026. The Spaniards made the difference in the final minutes through a goal from Mikel Merino, sealing victory in regulation time and continuing their run without defeat or conceding a goal in the competition.
The victory came after a strong campaign for Spain, who had remained unbeaten since the start of the tournament and had kept five consecutive clean sheets. Belgium, meanwhile, boasting a prolific attack that had scored 13 goals in five matches, showed impressive resilience but ultimately succumbed to Spain’s organization.
The opening goal came from Fabián Ruiz in the 30th minute, putting Spain ahead. Belgium responded before half-time through a penalty converted by Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st minute, after being set up by Timothy Castagne. Despite a late first-half yellow card for Pau Cubarsí, the two teams went into the break level at 1-1.
In the second half, coaches Luis de la Fuente and Rudi Garcia made several changes aimed at injecting energy into their teams. Alex Baena and Mikel Merino came on for Spain, while Belgium introduced Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken and Maxim De Cuyper in an attempt to take the lead. The turning point came in the 88th minute when Merino, who had just entered the match, rescued Spain by scoring the winning goal. The game also featured several cautions, notably for Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte.
A solid Spain backed by a 4-2-3-1 and young talent
Luis de la Fuente opted for a 4-2-3-1 combining youth and experience. Unai Simón guarded the goal, protected by a defense consisting of Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella. In midfield, Rodri and Fabián Ruiz played key roles in progressing the ball and building attacks, supported by Lamine Yamal, the team’s attacking engine. Dani Olmo, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal completed the attacking line, with Baena making a decisive contribution as a substitute. This setup allowed Spain to dominate possession (67%) and create numerous chances (13 shots, including 5 on target).
Belgium in a 4-2-3-1 with De Ketelaere and De Bruyne scorers but not enough
Belgium also lined up in a 4-2-3-1 under Rudi Garcia. Thibaut Courtois formed the last line of defense behind Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele and Maxim De Cuyper. The midfield was driven by Hans Vanaken and Nicolas Raskin, with Charles De Ketelaere, the goalscorer, Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku supporting the attack. Despite just 33% possession and only four shots, Belgium took advantage of a penalty opportunity. Substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens was introduced late, along with attacking players in an effort to force an equalizer, but the Belgian block could not contain Spain’s collective strength.
In conclusion, Spain continue their promising run into the semi-finals, where they will be able to build on their defensive solidity and attacking efficiency. Belgium, despite a tournament marked by impressive attacking output, leave the competition after a hard-fought match that highlighted their individual talent but also their limitations against an organized opponent.
Belgium- 30'But - F. Ruiz
- 41'But - C. De Ketelaere (passe T. Castagne)
- 43'Carton jaune - P. Cubarsi
- 55'Remplacement - A. Baena (remplace F. Torres)
- 55'Remplacement - F. Ruiz (remplace Pedri)
- 60'Remplacement - L. Trossard (remplace A. Witsel)
- 60'Remplacement - H. Vanaken (remplace R. Lukaku)
- 61'Remplacement - M. De Cuyper (remplace J. Seys)
- 71'Remplacement - T. Courtois (remplace S. Lammens)
- 79'Remplacement - M. Oyarzabal (remplace N. Williams)
- 85'Carton jaune - K. De Bruyne
- 86'Remplacement - K. De Bruyne (remplace A. Saelemaekers)
- 86'Remplacement - D. Olmo (remplace M. Merino)
- 88'But - M. Merino
- 90+3'Carton jaune - A. Laporte
- 90+5'Carton jaune - A. Witsel
- Tirs cadres : Spain 5 / Belgium 2
- Tirs : Spain 13 / Belgium 4
- Possession : Spain 67% / Belgium 33%
- Corners : Spain 5 / Belgium 1
- Fautes : Spain 9 / Belgium 11
- Cartons jaunes : Spain 1 / Belgium 0
- Passes : Spain 508 / Belgium 242
- Precision des passes : Spain 90% / Belgium 79%
- xG : Spain 1.32 / Belgium 0.34
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain) : note 7.3, 1 but(s)
- Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium) : note 7.3, 1 but(s)
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) : note 7.9, 4 arret(s)
- Timothy Castagne (Belgium) : note 6.9, 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain) : note 7.5
- 60'But - K. Mbappe (passe D. Doue)
- 62'Remplacement - A. Bouaddi (remplace S. Amrabat)
- 62'Remplacement - B. El Khannouss (remplace S. Rahimi)
- 63'Carton jaune - I. Diop
- 66'But - O. Dembele (passe K. Mbappe)
- 71'Remplacement - M. Kone (remplace W. Zaire-Emery)
- 74'Remplacement - B. Diaz (remplace G. Yassine)
- 74'Remplacement - A. Salah-Eddine (remplace Z. El Ouahdi)
- 77'Remplacement - K. Mbappe (remplace J. Mateta)
- 77'Remplacement - D. Doue (remplace B. Barcola)
- 85'Remplacement - C. Talbi (remplace A. Sbai)
- 87'Remplacement - J. Kounde (remplace M. Gusto)
- 16 Mike Maignan Goalkeeper
- 5 Jules Koundé Defender
- 4 Dayot Upamecano Defender
- 17 William Saliba Defender
- 3 Lucas Digne Defender
- 6 Manu Koné Midfielder
- 14 Adrien Rabiot Midfielder
- 7 Ousmane Dembélé Midfielder
- 11 Michael Olise Midfielder
- 20 Désiré Doué Midfielder
- 10 Kylian Mbappé Forward
- 1 Brice Samba
- 23 Robin Risser
- 15 Ibrahima Konaté
- 21 Lucas Hernández
- 2 Malo Gusto
- 19 Theo Hernández
- 26 Maxence Lacroix
- 8 Aurélien Tchouaméni
- 18 Warren Zaïre-Emery
- 24 Rayan Cherki
- 13 N'Golo Kanté
- 25 Maghnes Akliouche
- 9 Marcus Thuram
- 22 Jean-Philippe Mateta
- 12 Bradley Barcola
- 1 Yassine Bounou Goalkeeper
- 2 Achraf Hakimi Defender
- 14 Issa Diop Defender
- 3 Noussair Mazraoui Defender
- 26 Anass Salah-Eddine Defender
- 6 Ayyoub Bouaddi Midfielder
- 24 Neil El Aynaoui Midfielder
- 10 Brahim Díaz Midfielder
- 8 Azzedine Ounahi Midfielder
- 7 Chemsdine Talbi Midfielder
- 23 Bilal El Khannouss Forward
- 4 Sofyan Amrabat
- 9 Soufiane Rahimi
- 12 Munir El Kajoui
- 22 Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
- 5 Marwane Saadane
- 13 Zakaria El Ouahdi
- 18 Chadi Riad
- 25 Redouane Halhal
- 19 Youssef Belammari
- 17 Amine Sbai
- 16 Gessime Yassine
- 15 Samir El Mourabet
- 11 Ismael Saibari
- 20 Ayoub El Kaabi
- 21 Ayoube Amaimouni Echghouyab
- Tirs cadres : France 8 / Morocco 1
- Tirs : France 21 / Morocco 5
- Possession : France 48% / Morocco 52%
- Corners : France 5 / Morocco 5
- Fautes : France 10 / Morocco 12
- Cartons jaunes : France 0 / Morocco 1
- Passes : France 481 / Morocco 521
- Precision des passes : France 89% / Morocco 86%
- xG : France 3.10 / Morocco 0.13
- Kylian Mbappé (France) : note 7.9, 1 but(s), 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France) : note 8.6, 1 but(s)
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco) : note 7.6, 6 arret(s)
- Désiré Doué (France) : note 7.2, 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
- Michael Olise (France) : note 7.5
- Dayot Upamecano (France) : note 7.3
- Mike Maignan (France) : note 6.7, 1 arret(s)
- Manu Koné (France) : note 7.2
- I. Saibari : Morocco · Missing Fixture · Hamstring Injury
- 09/07/2026 France 2-0 Morocco (World Cup)
- 14/12/2022 France 2-0 Morocco (World Cup)
- 30'But - F. Ruiz
- 41'But - C. De Ketelaere (passe T. Castagne)
- 43'Carton jaune - P. Cubarsi
- 55'Remplacement - A. Baena (remplace F. Torres)
- 55'Remplacement - F. Ruiz (remplace Pedri)
- 60'Remplacement - L. Trossard (remplace A. Witsel)
- 60'Remplacement - H. Vanaken (remplace R. Lukaku)
- 61'Remplacement - M. De Cuyper (remplace J. Seys)
- 71'Remplacement - T. Courtois (remplace S. Lammens)
- 79'Remplacement - M. Oyarzabal (remplace N. Williams)
- 85'Carton jaune - K. De Bruyne
- 86'Remplacement - K. De Bruyne (remplace A. Saelemaekers)
- 86'Remplacement - D. Olmo (remplace M. Merino)
- 88'But - M. Merino
- 90+3'Carton jaune - A. Laporte
- 90+5'Carton jaune - A. Witsel
- 23 Unai Simón Goalkeeper
- 12 Pedro Porro Defender
- 22 Pau Cubarsí Defender
- 14 Aymeric Laporte Defender
- 24 Marc Cucurella Defender
- 16 Rodri Midfielder
- 8 Fabián Ruiz Midfielder
- 19 Lamine Yamal Midfielder
- 10 Dani Olmo Midfielder
- 15 Alex Baena Midfielder
- 21 Mikel Oyarzabal Forward
- 1 David Raya
- 13 Joan García
- 2 Marc Pubill
- 4 Eric García
- 5 Marcos Llorente
- 3 Alejandro Grimaldo
- 6 Mikel Merino
- 9 Pablo Gavi
- 18 Martín Zubimendi
- 20 Pedri
- 17 Nico Williams
- 7 Ferran Torres
- 11 Yéremy Pino
- 25 Víctor Muñoz
- 26 Borja Iglesias
- 1 Thibaut Courtois Goalkeeper
- 21 Timothy Castagne Defender
- 25 Nathan Ngoy Defender
- 4 Brandon Mechele Defender
- 5 Maxim De Cuyper Defender
- 20 Hans Vanaken Midfielder
- 23 Nicolas Raskin Midfielder
- 10 Leandro Trossard Midfielder
- 7 Kevin De Bruyne Midfielder
- 11 Jérémy Doku Midfielder
- 17 Charles De Ketelaere Forward
- 12 Senne Lammens
- 13 Mike Penders
- 3 Arthur Theate
- 15 Thomas Meunier
- 16 Koni De Winter
- 18 Joaquin Seys
- 19 Diego Moreira
- 22 Alexis Saelemaekers
- 14 Dodi Lukebakio
- 6 Axel Witsel
- 9 Romelu Lukaku
- 26 Matías Fernández-Pardo
- Tirs cadres : Spain 5 / Belgium 2
- Tirs : Spain 13 / Belgium 4
- Possession : Spain 67% / Belgium 33%
- Corners : Spain 5 / Belgium 1
- Fautes : Spain 9 / Belgium 11
- Cartons jaunes : Spain 1 / Belgium 0
- Passes : Spain 508 / Belgium 242
- Precision des passes : Spain 90% / Belgium 79%
- xG : Spain 1.32 / Belgium 0.34
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain) : note 7.3, 1 but(s)
- Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium) : note 7.3, 1 but(s)
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) : note 7.9, 4 arret(s)
- Timothy Castagne (Belgium) : note 6.9, 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain) : note 7.5
- Nathan Ngoy (Belgium) : note 7.2
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain) : note 6.9, 1 carton(s) jaune(s)
- Unai Simón (Spain) : note 6.5, 1 arret(s)
- A. Onana : Belgium · Missing Fixture · Cruciate Ligament Rupture
No reliable head-to-head available yet.
Le fil du match s affichera au coup d envoi.
Line-ups will be published before kickoff.
Aucune statistique collective n est encore disponible dans les donnees du match.
Key players will be highlighted during the match.
No confirmed absence yet.
No reliable head-to-head available yet.
Le fil du match s affichera au coup d envoi.
Line-ups will be published before kickoff.
Aucune statistique collective n est encore disponible dans les donnees du match.
Key players will be highlighted during the match.
No confirmed absence yet.
No reliable head-to-head available yet.
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