The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals just delivered an instant classic at the Los Angeles Stadium in California. In a high-stakes encounter that left fans breathless until the final whistle, Spain edged past Belgium 2-1 to book a slot in the semifinals, keeping their legendary unbeaten streak alive.
It was a devastatingly cruel ending for Belgium’s Golden Era remnants, but for La Roja, it solidified their status as the absolute juggernaut of international football.
1. The Opening Gambit: Spain Breaks the Deadlock
From the first whistle, Luis de la Fuente’s side showcased their signature fluid, patient passing game. In the 30th minute, that persistence paid off.
The generational talent Lamine Yamal combined brilliantly down the right flank with Pedro Porro to split the Belgian defensive line. While Belgium’s star keeper Thibaut Courtois managed to parry Dani Olmo’s initial strike, Fabián Ruiz—a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup over Pedri—was positioned perfectly to hammer home the rebound.
2. A Historic Streak Shattered
Spain entered the match boasting a spectacular defensive shield, having kept five consecutive clean sheets. Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón even set a staggering new World Cup record, going 650 minutes without conceding a single goal.
However, that historic streak came to a crashing halt in the 41st minute. Emerging from a spell of intense pressure, Belgium’s Timothy Castagne delivered a pinpoint, looping cross into the six-yard box. Charles De Ketelaere muscled past teenage defender Pau Cubarsí, power-heading the ball past Simón to equalize and breathe new life into the Red Devils.
3. Heartbreak and the Heroic Sub
The match seemed destiny-bound for extra time, especially after Belgium suffered a catastrophic setback in the 71st minute when Thibaut Courtois limped off the pitch in tears with a severe thigh injury.
Enter Mikel Merino. Having already scored a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, the super-sub checked into the match in the 85th minute. Just two minutes later, Pau Cubarsí unleashed a fierce long-range strike. Belgium’s replacement keeper, Senne Lammens, spilled the heavy rebound, and Merino pounced instantly, tucking the ball home with only his second touch of the game.
Despite a desperate, chaotic stoppage-time surge led by Romelu Lukaku, Aymeric Laporte made a magnificent acrobatic clearance to seal the victory for Spain.
What’s Next for ReaderApex Fans
With this victory, Spain extends their incredible undefeated streak to 37 consecutive matches. They now march into Dallas for a highly anticipated, monumental semifinal showdown against tournament favorites France on Tuesday. As Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente perfectly put it: “It will be a clash of giants.”