7M - Spain Beats Belgium to Reach World Cup Semifinals

Spain has advanced to the FIFA World Cup semifinals for the first time in sixteen years after defeating Belgium two to one in Inglewood. The victory places Luis de la Fuente's team in the final four of the 2026 tournament, a stage they have not reached since winning the title in 2010.

La Roja broke the deadlock in the twenty-ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz capitalized on a rebound. Thibaut Courtois had initially blocked an effort from Dani Olmo, but Ruiz was there to finish. Belgium responded later in the first half through Charles De Ketelaere, whose equalizing goal ended Spain's impressive streak of six hundred and fifty minutes without conceding in the competition.

The match shifted dramatically when Courtois was forced off with an injury, leaving the field in tears. He was replaced by backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens. In the eighty-seventh minute, Mikel Merino took advantage of a mistake by Lammens to score the decisive goal. Aymeric Laporte then preserved the lead in stoppage time with a vital clearance to deny Romelu Lukaku.

Spain will now face France in a highly anticipated semifinal matchup.