Spain booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final.
The match remained closely contested until the closing moments, when Spain found a dramatic late winner to continue their title challenge.
Spain took control for long periods during the first half and were rewarded in the 30th minute.
After Dani Olmo's shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois, Fabian Ruiz reacted first to the rebound and fired the ball into the net to give Spain the lead.
Belgium refused to head into the break behind and equalised in the 42nd minute.
Charles De Ketelaere met an excellent cross from Timothy Castagne and headed past the Spanish goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
The teams went into half-time level after an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
The second half featured chances for both sides as they searched for a decisive goal.
In the 89th minute, Mikel Merino scored the winning goal after reacting quickest to a rebound from Courtois following Pau Cubarsi's effort.
His finish secured Spain's place in the last four of the tournament.
Spain once again demonstrated why they are among the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy.
The team combined possession-based football with clinical finishing and showed composure under pressure against a determined Belgian side.
The victory moves La Roja one step closer to another World Cup final.
Belgium's World Cup journey ends in the quarter-finals despite an impressive performance.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several important saves throughout the match but could not prevent Merino's late winner.
Belgium pushed Spain until the final moments before narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals.
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Spain now advance to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Belgium leave the tournament after an entertaining quarter-final decided by a dramatic late goal.