Spain
BelgiumQuarter-finals
Los Angeles - SoFi Stadium
Referee : Michael Oliver (England)
Spectators : 70492
Merino 88'
Spain: 23. Simón U. - 22. Cubarsí, 12. Porro, 14. Laporte - 24. Cucurella - 8. Fabian Ruiz (Pedri, 55), 10. Olmo (Merino, 86), 15. Álex Baena (Torres F., 55), 16. Rodri, 21. Oyarzabal (Nico Williams, 79) - 19. Yamal
Substitution: Pedri (from 55); Torres F. (from 55); Nico Williams (from 79); Merino (from 86)
Bench: 1. Raya, 13. García Jo. - 2. Pubill, 3. Grimaldo, 4. Garcia E. - 18. Zubimendi - 5. Llorente M., 9. Gavi, 11. Pino Y. - 25. Muñoz Vic. - 26. Iglesias
Yellow Cards: Cubarsí 43; Laporte 93
Belgium: 1. Courtois (Lammens, 71) - 21. Castagne, 4. Mechele, 5. De Cuyper (Seys, 60), 25. Ngoy N. - 7. De Bruyne (Saelemaekers, 86), 17. De Ketelaere, 20. Vanaken (Lukaku R., 60), 23. Raskin - 10. Trossard (Witsel, 60), 11. Doku J.
Substitution: Seys (from 60); Witsel (from 60); Lukaku R. (from 60); Lammens (from 71); Saelemaekers (from 86)
Bench: 13. Penders - 16. De Winter K., 3. Theate, 15. Meunier - 8. Tielemans - 14. Lukebakio, 19. Moreira D., 26. Fernandez Pardo
Yellow Cards: De Bruyne 85; Witsel 95
Luis de la Fuente's side will now face tournament favourites France
Our series of World Cup 2026 reader polls continues with another blockbuster quarter-final. Who will join France in the semi-finals – Spain or Belgium?
The match was overshadowed by controversy even before kick-off
a tactical battle between two European heavyweights, it was the impact of the Spanish substitutes that ultimately proved decisive
Spain appear to have timed their run to perfection, saving their finest performance of FIFA World Cup 2026 for the business end of the tournament
The remarkable 3-2 victory sends Belgium into the Round of 16
Belgium finally claimed their first victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Uruguay suffered a dramatic and disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium endured another disappointing night at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Spain delivered a dominant performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1
Cape Verde held the reigning European champions to a dramatic 0-0 draw in Group H
Yet, a decade or two ago, a 17-year-old footballer was still coddled as a "promising academy graduate." Today, that label is no longer enough
The reigning European Championship winners struggled to impose themselves against a disciplined Iraqi side
Spain head into the upcoming FIFA World Cup as the leading favourites to lift football’s most prestigious trophy
Not a single player from Real Madrid made the final selection
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15.04.26 10:00The second edition of the FIFA World Cup, hosted by Italy in 1934, marked a pivotal shift from romantic athleticism to an era of cold sporting pragmatism and political posturing
With just 75 days remaining until the start of the World Cup, USA suffered a crushing 2–5 defeat
Mikel Oyarzabal delivered a standout performance
The decision comes amid escalating political tensions in the Middle East
The temporary closure of Qatar’s airspace has raised fresh logistical and security concerns around staging a global event of this magnitude
Spain moved within touching distance of securing their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Belgium will have to put their celebrations on hold
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been excluded from the Spain national team for the upcoming international fixtures following an unexpected medical procedure carried out without prior consultation with the national team’s medical staff
Spain are starting to look frighteningly familiar
Last night’s international between Belgium and Wales (4-2) featured one of the strangest moments in recent European football history
Argentina will face continental rivals Colombia in a blockbuster semi-final clash
With this result, Spain tighten their grip on top spot in Group D
Club doctors expect Olmo to return to full fitness in the first half of November
Spain delivered a footballing masterclass
It was a night of clinical finishing and total control from start to finish
This will be only the second time the Finalissima is held in its current format
