LOS ANGELES: Spain made it into the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup for only the second time in their history after a late strike put them 2-1 over Belgium.

The European champions will now face France in the semifinal in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.

Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain, just minutes after he was brought on in the dying moments of the quarterfinal.

The striker, who had helped his team with a late goal against Portugal in their last game, pulled off something similar this time around as well, bundling in a rebound from a Pau Cubarsi strike in the 88th-minute to settle a tense battle in favour of the Spaniards at the SoFi Stadium.

Earlier, Spain went ahead in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz converted a rebound after Thibaut Courtois had superbly saved Dani Olmo’s strike.

Belgium levelled in the 41st minute through Charles De Ketelaere, who headed Timothy Castagne’s cross past goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Courtois was forced off midway through the second half and replaced by Senne Lammens.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2026