Friday, July 10, 2026: Merino rescues Spain again and sets up a blockbuster semifinal against France

Spain joined France in the semifinals after a quarterfinal that was as tight as it was revealing. In Los Angeles, La Roja defeated Belgium 2-1 after spending long stretches facing a disciplined, brave and dangerous opponent. Extra time appeared increasingly likely when Mikel Merino, once again introduced from the bench, arrived in the 88th minute to turn a tense night into a historic qualification.

Spain took the initiative from the opening minutes. Their passing stretched the Belgian block, Lamine Yamal repeatedly attacked from the right and Dani Olmo found pockets between the lines. Belgium, missing important midfield starters, accepted a deeper defensive position and looked to release Jérémy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere in transition. That caution did not stop Spain from taking the lead in the 30th minute.

After Dani Olmo's effort was pushed away by Thibaut Courtois, Fabián Ruiz followed the move and finished with composure to put La Roja ahead. The goal rewarded genuine territorial control, but it did not break Belgium. Eleven minutes later, Timothy Castagne found De Ketelaere in the area and the forward directed a precise header into the net. It was the first goal Spain had conceded in the tournament and a reminder that Belgium could punish even a brief loss of concentration.

The second half preserved the contrast in styles. Spain monopolized possession, piled up attempts and tried to increase the tempo through Yamal, while Belgium protected the middle and waited for space. La Roja finished with 17 shots to Belgium's five, yet their command did not become a decisive advantage for a long time. Courtois kept Belgium alive before leaving the field injured and being replaced by Senne Lammens.

The decisive moment arrived two minutes before the end of regulation. A Pau Cubarsí shot was not held cleanly by Lammens and Merino, introduced only shortly before, attacked the loose ball with the instinct of a player who now seems made for these moments. His finish produced the 2-1 lead. Belgium still created one last opportunity for Romelu Lukaku, but Spain's defense survived until the final whistle.

Merino has become the symbol of Spain's calm in knockout football. Already the match winner against Portugal in the previous round, he delivered again after coming from the bench. According to Reuters, he became the first player in World Cup history to score late winning goals as a substitute in two separate knockout matches.

His value goes beyond that record. Merino gives Luis de la Fuente a rare tactical weapon: a midfielder who adds height, penalty-area presence, aggression on second balls and real finishing quality. When space disappears and legs become heavy, his profile changes the shape of Spain's attacks.

The 88th-minute goal also illustrated the depth of the squad. Spain did not need one exhausted starter to produce an isolated moment of genius. They could introduce an experienced player with a history of delivering in major matches, then benefit from Cubarsí's involvement in a move shaped by fresh legs. In a tournament this long, depth can matter as much as the starting eleven.

The qualification confirms Spain's position among the leading favorites, but it does not hide every weakness. La Roja dominated possession, created more and controlled most phases of the game. Yamal remained a constant threat, Fabián influenced the decisive areas and the defense restricted Belgium to very few chances. Even so, the score remained level until the closing minutes.

De Ketelaere's goal was the first conceded by Spain at this World Cup. It showed that a team capable of surviving the opening pressure can threaten them through quick crosses and direct attacks. France will study that sequence closely because the runs of Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise can attack similar imbalances with even greater speed.

Lamine Yamal remains one of the tournament's major revelations even without scoring in this quarterfinal. His volume of involvement, his ability to engage several defenders and his confidence in one-on-one situations forced Belgium to keep adjusting on their left side. At 18, he already carries a significant share of the creativity for the European champions and now World Cup semifinalists.

Fabián Ruiz also deserves a central place in the story. His goal rewarded a tournament in which his understanding of space and his ability to support attacks have complemented Rodri's control and Dani Olmo's freedom. In a team often reduced to its young wingers, Fabián is a reminder that Spain also win through the quality of their midfielders in both penalty areas.

Belgium exit the competition with a mixture of pride and frustration. They resisted a more dominant Spanish side, equalized with personality and retained a genuine chance of qualifying until the 88th minute. Their campaign, marked by group-stage difficulties and then a major win over the United States, showed a team still capable of competing with the elite.

Charles De Ketelaere is one of Belgium's strongest positives. Already influential in earlier rounds, he produced a high-quality header and confirmed that he can become a central figure after the golden generation. His movement, height and intelligence in the box give Belgium an attacking foundation for the next cycle.

Injuries carried a heavy cost. Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana were absent in midfield, then Courtois had to leave during the second half. Lammens is not solely responsible for the elimination, but his parried ball in front of Merino will remain the cruel image of the night. Quarterfinals are often decided by a single action that is not fully controlled, and Belgium paid the highest possible price.

The defeat may also mark the end of an era for several senior players. Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku, Courtois and others have carried Belgium for more than a decade. The 2026 tournament did not produce the title long expected from that generation, but it did reveal credible successors in De Ketelaere, Doku and younger players capable of rebuilding without starting from nothing.

The semifinal on Tuesday, July 14 will therefore bring France and Spain together in Arlington. It is the most prestigious possible matchup in this half of the bracket, between two teams with major-event experience, exceptional depth and clear ambitions to win the World Cup.

For France, the first priority remains Kylian Mbappé's physical condition after the blow to his ankle against Morocco. Les Bleus have several days to recover and prepare, but every session involving their captain will be watched closely. His duel with the Spanish defense, especially the spaces around the fullbacks when Spain attack, could decide the contest.

The tactical contrast should be fascinating. Spain will want to control the ball and install the match in French territory. France will probably accept certain spells without possession in order to exploit the speed of their forwards. Les Bleus must avoid being pushed too deep, while Spain must prevent turnovers that can release Mbappé, Dembélé or Olise into open space.

The game also offers a symbolic rematch of the Euro 2024 semifinal, which Spain won 2-1. Both nations have continued to accumulate major results since then. France are chasing a third straight World Cup final, while Spain are seeking their first final since winning the title in 2010.

With France and Spain already qualified, the first semifinal guarantees that a major European power will reach the final. The two teams have taken different routes: France have relied on defensive strength and decisive bursts, while Spain have imposed more possession and survived two tight finishes against Portugal and Belgium.

In the other half of the bracket, four teams remain level in front of the same opportunity. England and Argentina carry the weight of their status and national expectation. Norway and Switzerland are outsiders with contrasting identities: one advances through the attacking power of Erling Haaland, the other through collective organization capable of suffocating favorites.

The tournament continues to mix continuity with renewal. Mbappé, Messi, Kane and Haaland remain central figures, but Merino, De Ketelaere, Yamal, Doku and several young defenders have widened the story. The traditional powers dominate the bracket, yet teams less familiar with the final stages still have a chance to break the hierarchy.

Two quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday. England will face Norway in Miami, before Argentina meet Switzerland in Kansas City. Those matches will determine the second semifinal and complete the final four of this World Cup.

England against Norway will bring Harry Kane and Erling Haaland together, two of the most feared strikers of their generation. England have more collective experience in major tournaments, but Norway have already eliminated Brazil and can no longer be treated as surprise guests. Their ability to attack quickly and supply Haaland can unsettle an English defense that must remain focused on every transition.

Argentina against Switzerland pits the defending world champions against one of the competition's most disciplined teams. Lionel Messi continues his pursuit of another title and remains in the Golden Boot race with Mbappé. Switzerland, who eliminated Colombia on penalties, will try to slow the tempo, close the channels and turn the game into a test of patience.

France will watch those quarterfinals with interest but without direct urgency. Their opponent is known, their schedule is fixed and their full attention can now move toward recovery, analysis of Spain and preparation for a semifinal that already feels like a final before the final.