The second day of the quarterfinal action at the 2026 World Cup featured a mouthwatering European matchup between Spain and Belgium. These two have met twice in the World Cup before, once in a quarterfinal. Belgium came out on top in the win-or-go-home game back in 1986, drawing 1-1 and then beating Spain on PKs 5-4; Spain then got their revenge four years later, beating Belgium 2-1 in the 1900 group stage. Now, 36 years later, the two met again on the world stage.
Spain has had an almost flawless 2026 World Cup so far. They did have a shocking draw in their first game, a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, but since then, they have beaten Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stage and Austria and Portugal in the knockout rounds. They also had not conceded a goal in the tournament coming into this quarterfinal.
Belgium’s World Cup campaign was rocky. It was seen as the last dance for legends De Bruyne, Lukaku, and Courtois, but two draws vs. Egypt and Iran to start the group stage put their hopes in jeopardy. A 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand helped them win their group and advance to the knockout rounds. There, they had a dramatic comeback win against Senegal and embarrassed hosts USA 4-1 to make the quarterfinal matchup vs Spain.
General view inside the stadium before the match
Carlos Barria
World Cup Quarterfinals – Spain vs Belgium
Spain and Belgium both play in a 4-2-3-1 formation. They like the organization because it gives their players a defensive shape and the ability to possess the ball and find open spaces to exploit their opponents. Belgium used its formation to stay solid defensively, then would pick and choose when to spring attacks. Spain used it to overload the wings, creating dangerous crosses or attacking dribbling opportunities for their players.
Spain’s Fabian Ruiz scores their first goal past Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois
KIRBY LEE
The first half saw this play out almost to a T. Belgium stifled some early Spanish chances, having bodies behind the ball to block Spain’s shots. They then looked to counterattack by hitting long switches to exploit the open spaces Spain left in the back when they attacked. After half an hour, one of the Spanish chances was pounced on to take the lead.
Yamal and Porro played a one-two on the right wing, and a ball was sent into the box. Olmo tried to hit the cross in, but Belgium’s Courtois stood tall and blocked the shot. Unfortunately for Belgium, the ball fell to Ruiz, who fired the rebound home. Spain thought they’d carry this 1-0 lead into halftime, but Belgium had other plans. Trossard faked a shot in the 41st minute, drawing Spain to him. He played a ball wide to Castagne, who failed to get a good cross off. De Bruyne got the ball ahead of Spain’s defense, recycled the play, and a second cross found the glancing header of De Ketelaere, who scored the first goal on Spain at this World Cup. The match would stay tied at one at halftime.
Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal
DANIEL COLE
Belgium was happy to have found a way past Spain on one of their two shots in the first half, but in the second half, they’d need to get more shots on goal to beat Spain. Unfortunately for them, they’d only get three more attempts, and only one would be on target, but it wouldn’t go in. Spain had the majority of the ball in the second half but failed to break down a Belgian side that looked like it was hanging on to reach extra time and maybe even PKs. However, with just minutes left in regulation, Spain found their winning goal.
About 15 minutes before Spain’s game-winning goal, Belgium had to sub out their legendary keeper, Courtois, due to injury. In came Lammens, the Manchester United keeper labeled as the future number one for Belgium. Little did he know he would make a grievous error that would lead to his team’s elimination. In the 88th minute, Spanish centerback Cubarsi made a run with the ball and took a long-range shot at the goal. Lammens couldn’t control the shot and spilled it right to the foot of Merino, who smashed it home. This is Morino’s second consecutive game scoring a winning goal as a sub to help his nation advance.
Spain’s Mikel Merino celebrates scoring their second goal
Kai Pfaffenbach
Belgium tried their best to get another tying goal, having three good chances, but Spain did just enough to stop them all. Their valiant World Cup run would end at the Quarterfinal stage.
Spain now advances to play France in a semifinal! That match sees the number two- and three-ranked teams in the world clash for the chance to reach the final of the 2026 World Cup! What a game that will be this coming Tuesday!
Day 3 of the Quarterfinals
The final day of the Quarterfinals is Saturday, which features two juicy matchups! England takes on Norway in Miami at 5 pm ET, and Argentina plays Switzerland at 9 pm ET. These games feature a favorite (England and Argentina) vs. a dark horse that could make the semis (Norway and Switzerland). We already saw favorites prevail on the other side of the bracket, with France and Spain making the semifinals. Will England and Argentina join them, or will we see a surprise from Norway or Switzerland?
Norway
vs.
England
Saturday,
July 11,
5 pm ET
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Fox, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock
Argentina
vs.
Switzerland
Saturday,
July 11,
9 pm ET
GEHA Field, Kansas City
Fox, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock