FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 30 Results: Spain Downs Belgium 2-1 to Reach Semifinals — July 10, 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 — Day 30 Results, Spain vs Belgium quarterfinal
Spain vs Belgium quarterfinal highlights · ▶ YouTube / FIFA World Cup 2026 · Official Highlights

Day 30 Results — July 10, 2026

Mikel Merino struck late off the bench to send Spain past a battered Belgium side and into the semifinals, where La Roja will meet France in Dallas next week.

Quarterfinal — Match Result

QUARTERFINAL
Spain 2 – 1 Belgium
⚽ Fabián Ruiz · Mikel Merino 88'  |  ⚽ Charles De Ketelaere 41'
⚽ Match of the Day: Spain 2-1 Belgium — Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring before De Ketelaere leveled it just before halftime, but substitute Mikel Merino needed less than two minutes on the pitch to turn home a rebound off Pau Cubarsí's shot that goalkeeper Koen Casteels-deputy Thomas Lammens could only spill into his path, sending Spain through to face France.

What It Means — Road to the Final

Spain's win completes one half of the semifinal bracket: La Roja will face France, who eliminated Morocco 2-0 on July 9 behind another Kylian Mbappé goal, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on July 14. The result also brings a difficult end to the tournament for Belgium's golden generation — the side lost captain Youri Tielemans to a warm-up injury before kickoff and then saw goalkeeper Thibault Courtois forced off with an injury in the second half, leaving the team to see out the closing stages further shorthanded. Reports from the match also describe an emotional Courtois on the touchline after his early exit.

Today's Upcoming Matches

The other half of the semifinal bracket will be decided today, July 11, with both remaining quarterfinals kicking off in the United States:

  • Norway vs England — 5:00 PM ET / 21:00 UTC, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
  • Argentina vs Switzerland — 9:00 PM ET / 01:00 UTC (Jul 12), Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)

The winners meet in the second semifinal on July 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with the final field for the July 19 championship match set to be complete after today's results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who scored the goals in Spain vs Belgium?

Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain, Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium in the 41st minute, and substitute Mikel Merino scored the 88th-minute winner for Spain moments after coming off the bench.

Q: Who does Spain play in the semifinal?

Spain will face France, who beat Morocco 2-0 in the other quarterfinal on July 9, in the semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on July 14.

Q: What quarterfinals are left to be played?

Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland are both scheduled for July 11, completing the quarterfinal round and setting the second semifinal matchup.