All Goals! Spain vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Second Half 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

🏁 Full Time 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

It's all over in Inglewood! Spain is back in the FIFA World Cup semifinals for the first time since South Africa 2010. La Roja had to battle through a difficult match against a resilient Belgium, but ultimately secured the winning goal after a costly mistake by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Luis de la Fuente's side is once again among the world's final four and now faces a massive challenge: a semifinal showdown against France with a place in the World Cup final on the line.

🇪🇸 Spain 2-1 Belgium 🇧🇪

Min 87 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

GOOOOOOOOOAL FOR SPAIN!! Mikel Merino capitalizes on a costly mistake from Senne Lammens and sends the ball into the back of the net. The loss of Thibaut Courtois proves decisive at the worst possible moment for the Red Devils, as La Roja retakes the lead and moves one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals.

🇪🇸 Spain 2-1 Belgium 🇧🇪

First Half 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

How Charles De Ketelaere Scored 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

Charles De Ketelaere found space near the edge of the penalty area and produced an excellent finish to beat the Spanish goalkeeper and level the match. The Belgium forward’s strike carried additional significance, as it was the first goal conceded by La Roja at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

🇪🇸 Spain 1-1 Belgium 🇧🇪

How Fabián Ruiz Scored 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

Dani Olmo unleashed a powerful shot that Thibaut Courtois managed to stop, but the Belgium goalkeeper spilled the ball inside the penalty area. Fabián Ruiz reacted quickest to the rebound and finished to put La Roja ahead in Inglewood.

🇪🇸 Spain 1-0 Belgium 🇧🇪

Min 29 🇪🇸 🆚 🇧🇪

GOOOOOOOOOAL FOR SPAIN!! Fabián Ruiz reacts quickest inside the penalty area and converts the rebound after a tremendous save from Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper denied the initial effort, but the Spanish midfielder was perfectly positioned to finish the second chance and put La Roja ahead.

🇪🇸 Spain 1-0 Belgium 🇧🇪

The Revenge for Mexico 1986 Has Arrived

Forty years later, Spain and Belgium meet once again on the FIFA World Cup stage. The two nations collide in another quarterfinal, reviving memories of one of the most dramatic knockout matches in their histories: the unforgettable clash at Mexico 1986.

On June 22, 1986, at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, the Red Devils took the lead through Jan Ceulemans in the 35th minute. Just when Belgium seemed destined to advance, Juan Antonio Señor struck in the 85th minute to level the score and send the match into extra time.

The additional 30 minutes became a battle of endurance. The intense heat in Puebla drained both teams, and the semifinal berth was decided in a penalty shootout. The only miss came from Eloy Olaya, whose effort was saved by Jean-Marie Pfaff, giving Belgium a 5-4 victory in one of the most painful defeats in Spain's World Cup history.

Now, four decades later, Spain has the opportunity to exact revenge in exactly the same stage of the competition: the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

The most recent World Cup meeting between the two sides favored the Spaniards. They met again in the group stage of Italy 1990 in Verona, where Spain claimed victory. However, a group-stage match cannot compare to the pressure and emotion of a knockout clash, where one team advances and the other heads home.

Spain Lineup

Belgium Lineup

Spain Chasing Another World Cup Semifinal

Luis de la Fuente's side arrives as one of the most impressive teams in the tournament. Their ball circulation, high pressing, and the talent of players such as Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal have established La Roja as one of the favorites to lift the trophy.

The development of Lamine Yamal throughout the World Cup has also been significant. After a group stage in which he was below his usual standards, the teenage winger has steadily regained his rhythm during the knockout rounds, once again becoming one of Spain's most dangerous attacking threats. If he finds space on the flanks, he could become the difference-maker against the Belgian defense.

Defensively, Spain has also been outstanding, with Unai Simón, Pau Cubarsí, and Aymeric Laporte leading a back line that has allowed very few clear scoring opportunities throughout the tournament.

Belgium Looking to Revive Its Golden Generation

Although many believe Belgium's golden generation is entering its final chapter, the Red Devils have shown they remain a formidable opponent.

With Kevin De Bruyne dictating the tempo in midfield, Jérémy Doku providing explosive pace on the wings, and a defense that has improved with each match, Belgium is aiming to return to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since Russia 2018.

The midfield battle could determine the outcome. If Spain controls possession and prevents De Bruyne from finding space between the lines, it will have a significant advantage. However, if Belgium can force turnovers and attack quickly in transition, it has the quality to trouble the Spanish defense.

Everything is set for one of the standout matches of these quarterfinals. Forty years after that unforgettable night in Puebla, Spain will look to settle an old score, while Belgium hopes to prove it still has what it takes to compete for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.