Spain Survive Belgium Scare to Reach Last Four
Mikel Merino wrote another unforgettable chapter in Spain’s World Cup 2026 campaign on Friday, scoring an 88th-minute winner to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The Arsenal midfielder, who had also scored a stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, once again proved the hero as La Roja booked their place in the semi-finals for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010.
“I’ve done this again, and it’s happened to me again, so it would seem that coincidence exists,” a smiling Merino said after the match. “If you’re ready and you try, I guess it can happen for you.” The 30-year-old came on as a substitute in the 86th minute and scored with his second touch of the match, pouncing after Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens — forced into action following an injury to Thibaut Courtois — spilled Pau Cubarsi’s long-range effort.
France Book Semi-Final Spot with Commanding Display
Spain will face tournament favorites France in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday after Les Bleus dispatched Morocco 2-0 in Boston on Thursday. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead six minutes later, giving France a comfortable passage into the last four. Despite Mbappe missing a first-half penalty, France’s quality proved too much for a resilient Moroccan side that had stunned several opponents earlier in the tournament.
Quarter-Final Drama Continues
The quarter-final action continues this weekend with two mouth-watering ties still to be decided. On Saturday, Norway face England at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter — described by Norwegian pundits as the biggest match in the nation’s history. England head into the game with injury concerns but boast formidable tournament experience.
On Sunday, defending champions Argentina take on Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lionel Messi’s Argentina produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history against Egypt in the Round of 16, overturning a 2-0 deficit with less than 20 minutes remaining to win 3-2. The 39-year-old superstar has already broken multiple records at this tournament and will be desperate to lead his country to back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
Key Semi-Final Matchups Taking Shape
With France and Spain securing their spots, the World Cup 2026 is building towards a thrilling climax. The Spain-France semi-final is a matchup football fans have anticipated for years — two unbeaten giants of world football colliding with a place in the final at stake.
“It will be a clash of giants,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said. “We are capable of winning this game — and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well. They are a great giant of football, but I trust our team.”
The winner of the Norway-England quarter-final will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the opposite semi-final, ensuring that the path to the World Cup final on July 19 remains wide open.
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