California [US], July 11 (ANI): Spain advanced to the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Belgium, setting up a blockbuster clash against Kylian Mbappé-led France.
Fabián Ruiz, who was handed a surprise start ahead of Pedri, and substitute Mikel Merino scored for Spain, while Charles De Ketelaere netted Belgium’s lone goal in a match that also saw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois leave with an injury.
Ruiz opened the scoring after Courtois parried Dani Olmo’s shot into his path. Spain continued to create chances through Lamine Yamal, whose impressive performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Belgium equalized just before halftime when Kevin De Bruyne released Timothy Castagne down the right flank. Castagne delivered a precise cross that De Ketelaere headed home after timing his run perfectly to stay onside.
The goal ended Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón’s remarkable streak of 560 consecutive FIFA World Cup minutes without conceding, surpassing the previous tournament record of 517 minutes set by Italy’s Walter Zenga in 1990.
Belgium suffered a major setback in the 71st minute when Courtois was forced off with an apparent injury and replaced by Senne Lammens. The substitute goalkeeper was unable to hold Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort, allowing Merino, who had only recently entered the match, to capitalize on the rebound and score the winning goal.
The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten streak to 36 matches since its loss to Colombia, equaling Argentina’s run between 2019 and 2022 and leaving the team one match shy of Italy’s world-record 37-game unbeaten streak.
Spain will now face France in a highly anticipated semifinal as it continues its quest for another FIFA World Cup title.
France secured its place in the final four with a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Morocco, led by captain Kylian Mbappé. The French star became the youngest player to make 20 FIFA World Cup appearances and the fastest to score 20 goals in tournament history. His eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup also drew him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Mbappé additionally set a new record for the most match-winning goals in FIFA World Cup history with eight and became the first French player to be directly involved in 100 international goals, recording 64 goals and 36 assists for Les Bleus. (ANI)
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