Spain secured its spot as the second semifinalist in the 2026 World Cup on Friday by triumphing over Belgium with a 2-1 victory at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. This sets the stage for a high-stakes matchup against France, with a place in the tournament's grand finale on the line. Meanwhile, Saturday will reveal the remaining semifinalists from the England-Norway and Argentina-Switzerland clashes.
Spain's Path to Semifinals
Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain clinched their win through the efforts of their midfielders. Fabián Ruiz, stepping in for the injured Pedri, opened the scoring in the 30th minute.
Belgium managed to equalize before halftime thanks to Charles De Ketelaere, who had previously scored twice in Belgium's 4-1 victory over the United States in the round of 16.
The deadlock remained until the 88th minute when Mikel Merino netted the decisive goal after Pau Cubarsí's initial attempt, securing the win for Spain.
Merino has a knack for clutch performances, having already scored a last-minute goal against Portugal in the round of 16 and delivering in extra time against Germany during the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.
Key Players and Historical Rivalry
Lamine Yamal stood out as a key player for Spain, although he couldn't convert his chances against a resilient Belgium, which struggled to contain the reigning European champions.
Spain enters this phase as the Euro 2024 champions, having defeated France in the semifinals of that tournament. Historically, Spain leads their head-to-head with France, boasting 17 wins to France's 13, along with seven draws. However, France holds the upper hand in their sole World Cup encounter, winning 3-1 in the 2006 round of 16.
France's Journey and Upcoming Battle
France, the first to secure a semifinal position, advanced by defeating Morocco 2-0 at Boston's Gillette Stadium on July 9, with goals from Mbappé and Dembélé in the quarterfinals.
Mbappé, sharing the top scorer spot with Messi, adds another layer of intrigue to this matchup between two of the tournament's strongest contenders. The Spain-France showdown is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 3:00 PM Cuban time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, determining the first World Cup finalist.
Saturday's Quarterfinals: The Final Semifinalists
The semifinal lineup will be finalized on Saturday with the last two quarterfinal matches. In Miami, Norway will face England in a game featuring striking talents Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Norway rides high after their historic elimination of Brazil, while England aims to affirm their status as frontrunners following their victory over Mexico.
Later, Argentina will confront Switzerland for the last semifinal slot. La Albiceleste, led by Messi, seeks to overcome challenges encountered against Cape Verde and Egypt. Meanwhile, Switzerland, having ousted Colombia on penalties, hopes to make history by reaching the World Cup semifinals for the first time.
2026 World Cup Semifinals: Key Questions and Insights
What was the result of the Spain vs. Belgium match?
Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup.
When and where will the Spain vs. France semifinal take place?
The Spain vs. France semifinal is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 3:00 PM Cuban time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Who are the top goal scorers of the 2026 World Cup so far?
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are currently tied as the top goal scorers of the 2026 World Cup.