Spain Advances to FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals After Thrilling Victory Over Belgium
Spain Triumphs Over Belgium 2-1
In an exhilarating quarter-final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Spain secured a 2-1 victory against Belgium, earning a spot in the semi-finals where they will face France. Spain showcased their dominance throughout the match, consistently pressuring the Belgian defense. A notable highlight was the performance of young talent Lamine Yamal, who, despite not scoring or assisting, posed a constant threat on the field. Yamal made history by becoming the player with the most World Cup appearances before turning 19, with six matches under his belt at just 18 years and 363 days old, surpassing the previous record held by Norman Whiteside of Northern Ireland.
Here’s a look at the players with the highest number of World Cup appearances before reaching 19:
| Player | Country | Matches | World Cup Year(s) | Age During Tournament |
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | 6 | 2026 | 18 |
| Norman Whiteside | Northern Ireland | 5 | 1982 | 17 |
| Pelé | Brazil | 4 | 1958 | 17 |
| Gavi | Spain | 4 | 2022 | 18 |
Match Highlights
Spain began the match with strong control of the ball, and in the 30th minute, Fabián Ruiz scored the opening goal after Belgium's goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, parried an initial attempt. Belgium quickly responded, with Kevin De Bruyne assisting Timothy Castagne, who set up Charles De Ketelaere to equalize just before halftime.
The second half was filled with tension, particularly after Courtois had to exit the game due to a leg injury in the 71st minute. His substitute, Senne Lammens, struggled to maintain the same level of performance. In the 88th minute, a long-range effort from Pau Cubarsí was mishandled by Lammens, allowing substitute Mikel Merino to score the decisive goal, sealing the match at 2-1 for Spain.