In a pulsating quarter‑final clash at the Los Angeles Stadium, Spain edged Belgium 2‑1, securing a place in the semi‑finals where they will meet France. The victory was sealed in the dying minutes, turning a tightly contested match into a dramatic finish that left the crowd on its feet.
A night of drama in Los Angeles
Spain drew first blood early, with Fabian Ruiz opening the scoring in the fifth minute. Belgium responded swiftly, leveling through Charles De Ketelaere shortly thereafter, and the contest settled into a tense back‑and‑forth as both sides searched for the decisive edge.
The Belgian side entered the match with a depleted lineup. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury and replaced by Senne Lammens, while midfield anchors Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana were also unavailable. These setbacks added pressure on a team already battling to stay alive in the tournament.
The winner arrived in the 87th minute when substitute Mikel Merino struck a powerful shot that found the net. The goal marked Merino as the first player in World Cup history to score the winning goal in two different knockout‑stage matches as a substitute, underscoring his knack for delivering when it matters most.
With the semi‑final berth secured, Spain now turns its focus to a clash with France, a team that has repeatedly stood between them and the ultimate prize. Belgium, despite the loss, will look to regroup and rebuild after a tournament marred by injuries and a narrow defeat.
The atmosphere was amplified by a glittering audience that included Hollywood heavyweights such as Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, who watched from the stands as the drama unfolded on the pitch.