Spain 2–1 Belgium — Quarter-final, Match 98
Spain beat Belgium 2–1 in Match 98 of the World Cup 2026 quarter-final at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026. Spain advanced to the semi-finals; Belgium were eliminated.
How the tie was set up
Group H winners Spain met Group G winners Belgium in Match 98, the second of the four quarter-finals. Spain had edged Portugal 1–0 in the Iberian derby in Arlington in the Round of 16, while Belgium overwhelmed co-hosts United States 4–1 in Seattle. Spain came through 2–1 to book a place in the first semi-final (Match 101, July 14, Dallas) against France, 2–0 winners over Morocco in Match 97.
How they got here
- Spain — Won Group H, then beat Portugal 1–0 in Match 93 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington. Spain 1–0 Portugal (Match 93)
- Belgium — Won Group G, then beat the United States 4–1 in Match 94 at Lumen Field, Seattle. Belgium 4–1 United States (Match 94)
Head-to-head
Two of Europe's most technical sides met with contrasting Round of 16 routes behind them: Spain's single-goal control against Portugal, Belgium's four-goal statement against the United States.
Result and recap
Spain 2, Belgium 1. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, hammering home the rebound after Dani Olmo's shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois, following a move down the right from Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro. Charles De Ketelaere leveled for Belgium in the 41st minute, heading in Timothy Castagne's cross — the first goal Spain had conceded all tournament. Mikel Merino, on as a substitute just two minutes earlier, struck the winner in the 88th minute, pouncing after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a long-range effort from Pau Cubarsí.
Spain advance to the first semi-final: Match 101, July 14, 3 p.m. ET at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, against France, 2–0 winners over Morocco (Match 97). Belgium are eliminated.