Updated World Cup Bracket 2026 After Spain vs. Belgium Quarterfinal Results

For the first time since winning it all in 2010, Spain is on its way to the World Cup semifinal.

La Roja outlasted Belgium 2-1 to win in the quarterfinal on Friday.

While the final score was close, Spain dominated for most of the match, controlling 68 percent of the possession and getting eight shots on goal to Belgium's two. Spain also had 2.08 expected goals compared to 0.37 for Belgium, per ESPN.

Fabián Ruiz got things started for Spain, scoring in the 30th minute off a deflection from Belgium's keeper.

But Belgium responded 10 minutes later as Charles De Ketelaere found the back of the net on a header. It was the first goal Spain had given up during the tournament.

Spain had a few chances to regain the lead in the second half, but fantastic work from Belgium's Thibaut Courtois kept things evened up.

Belgium played unrelenting defense for most of the second half, and Spain couldn't seem to break through, but La Roja finally found the window it needed in the 88th minute.

Courtois denied Spain's initial attempt but couldn't wrangle the ball, allowing Mikel Merino to score on the deflection.

Belgium had a golden opportunity to score the equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time when Spain had a blunder in goal, but it ultimately couldn't capitalize.

Spain held off Belgium's last few efforts in stoppage time to hold onto the 2-1 lead.

Now, Spain will take on Kylian Mbappé and France with a shot at the World Cup Final on the line.