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Spain seals historic 2-1 win over Belgium in epic World Cup clash — as it happened

With the tournament on the line, Belgium pulled out all the stops, but it wasn't quite enough to halt Spain's momentum.
FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals - Spain vs Belgium
Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match against Belgium. Source: AAP / CHRISTOPHER TORRES/EPA

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Source: SBS News


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Thanks for joining us

Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of Spain's quarter-final victory over Belgium.

There's plenty more World Cup action to come tomorrow morning (AEST), with the remaining two quarter-finals to decide the second semi-final.

  • Norway vs England — 7am AEST, Sunday 12 July, Miami
  • Argentina vs Switzerland — 11am AEST, Sunday 12 July, Kansas City

Spain will play France next Wednesday, while the winners of Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland will meet in the tournament's other semi-final.

— Miles Proust

Match report

You can read a match report here:

Highlights: Spain v Belgium

Yamal awarded player of the match

Spanish wonder-kid Lamine Yamal was awarded player of the match.

The 18-year-old produced plenty of opportunities for La Roja, with six shots and four successful dribbles.

A Spanish football player holding up a silver trophy.
Spain's Lamine Yamal after he was awarded player of the match. Source: Getty / Alex Pantling

— Miles Proust

In pictures: Spain celebrates

Spain v Belgium: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
Mikel Merino celebrating after scoring the winning goal. Source: Getty / Harry How
United States: SOCCER WC26 1/4 SPAIN VS BELGIUM
Heartbreak for Belgium. Source: SIPA USA / Bruno Fahy
Spain v Belgium: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
Spain celebrating after the win. Source: Getty / Omar Vega
Spain v Belgium: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
More than 70,000 were in attendance at Los Angeles Stadium. Source: Getty / Harry How
Fans During The Spain V Belgium Match At The 2026 World Cup
Spanish fans watching the match in Madrid. Source: Getty / Gustavo Valiente

— Miles Proust

Spain to face France in blockbuster semi-final

Spain will now take on France in a blockbuster semi-final at 5am on Wednesday (AEST) in Arlington, Texas.

It's just the second time Spain have reached a World Cup semi-final; the last time was 2010, when they went on to win the tournament.

The other semi-final will be either Norway or England against Argentina or Switzerland.

Those sides will meet in the quarter-finals on Sunday morning.

— Miles Proust

Full time

A colourful graphic showing the full time scoreline from Spain v Belgium quarter final at the 2026 World Cup.
Source: SBS

The whistle blows, and that's full time.

2-1 to Spain, who now progress to the semi-finals against France.

Remarkably, it's only the second time Spain has ever reached the World Cup semi-finals, the last time being in 2010 when they went on to win the tournament.

— David Smith

90 + 6'

Belgium really going for it, with Lukaku going for a header from a long cross.

Simon drops the ball from his hands, but wins a foul.

Meanwhile, Witsel picks up a yellow card.

— Miles Proust

90 + 2'

Chance for Belgium after Simon comes off his line while trying to intercept a run on the left wing.

The cross comes from Saelemaekers but Cubarsí is able to get a boot to it, with the ball landing straight into Simon's hands.

Seven minutes of added time.

— Miles Proust

Merino with the breakthrough

The breakthrough comes after Cubarsí's long-range shot is blocked by Lammens, but he spills the ball out in front of him.

The follow-up came from Merino, who just came off the bench, and got there first.

You've got to feel for Lammens, who was subbed in for Courtois.

— Miles Proust

88' Goal Spain!

Colourful graphic showing a 2-1 scoreline in the Spain v Belgium quarter final match at the World Cup 2026.
Source: SBS

Goal Spain! 2-1, Spain's way.

85'

Colourful graphic showing a yellow card for Kevin de Bruyne in the Belgium v Spain quarter final at the World Cup
Source: SBS

De Bruyne is shown a yellow card after wrapping his arms around Torres. He comes off for Saelemaekers.

Spain also make a change, with Olmo off for Merino.

— Miles Proust

78'

Spain tries a couple of gradual build-ups, but Belgium's defence is dug in, and they can't break through.

The tempo has slowed down a bit after the second hydration break. Oyarzabal is subbed off for Williams.

There are 70,492 in attendance at the Los Angeles Stadium.

— Miles Proust

71'

A clever play, with a one-two header by Spain, but it goes over. The flag is up anyway.

Meanwhile, Courtois is coming off. He looks quite tearful as walks off the pitch. Belgian fans are up on their feet applauding.

Lammens is in his place.

— Miles Proust

66'

Belgium's keeper Courtois, who's just made several saves, has gone down. It looks like he's hurt his thigh.

He's being looked at by the medics, as the second-half hydration break is called.

The tempo has really picked up in this second half, with chances for both sides.

— Miles Proust

62'

Courtois makes a crucial block on Oyarzabal's shot after Yamal plays it off in the box.

— Miles Proust

Belgium triple sub

Yamal picks up a foul, with a shove on Doku.

Belgium have made a triple sub, with Trossard, Vanaken and De Cuyper making way for Itsel, Lukaku and Seys.

— Miles Proust

58'

Yamal sends a nice cross into the box, but Courtois punches it away.

— Miles Proust

55' - Chance Belgium!

A nice one-two by Doku on the left wing, with the pull-back intercepted, falling for De Cuyper who makes a poweful strike which falls into the side netting.

Spain have made a double substitution, with Baena and Ruiz making way for Torres and Pedri.

— Miles Proust

52'

Half-chance for Spain, with Yamal making a strike on the edge of the box, but the shot is deflected and out for a corner.

They play the corner short, with Olmo's half-volley going way high.

— Miles Proust

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