Two down. Two to go. The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals are delivering everything they promised. Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles today and, in doing so, confirmed one of the most anticipated semi-finals in recent World Cup history: Spain vs France. Dallas, July 15. The two best sides in the tournament, meeting with a final place at stake.
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Today’s Result — Spain 2-1 Belgium
Fabian Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute, pouncing on a Courtois rebound from Dani Olmo’s powerful strike. Belgium hit back in the 41st minute through Charles De Ketelaere — a clinical finish from a Timothy Castagne cross, set up by a precise Kevin De Bruyne pass. That goal ended Spain’s extraordinary 649-minute run without conceding at this tournament. The first goal Spain had shipped since the tournament began.
The second half was tight and tense. Courtois made a stunning save from Lamine Yamal just after the break, stretching his leg to deny what looked a certain goal. Then, in the 71st minute, Courtois was forced off injured — and the match changed. Backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens came on. In the 88th minute, Pau Cubarsi’s long-range drive spilled from Lammens’s hands. Mikel Merino, on the pitch for two minutes, lashed the loose ball into the roof of the net. Spain 2-1. Belgium’s World Cup is over.
Merino now has two crucial goals in knockout matches from the bench — against Portugal in the Round of 16, and now this. He is becoming one of the tournament’s most important stories.
The Upcoming matches
The third quarter-final kicks off tonight at the Miami Stadium: Norway vs England, 2:30 AM IST on July 12. England are the stronger side on paper, but Norway are nobody’s easy opponents. Erling Haaland with any kind of service is a match-deciding threat. Martin Odegaard controls the tempo from midfield. And the final ten minutes of Norway’s match against Brazil remain fresh in everyone’s memory.
England also have a key concern heading into this one: Jarell Quansah is suspended following his red card. Whoever faces Antonio Nusa on that right flank will have a demanding evening.
The fourth and final quarter-final follows on July 12 at the Kansas City Stadium: Argentina vs Switzerland, 6:30 AM IST. This one has sub-plot written all over it. Argentina made it through the Round of 16 against Egypt with one of the great comebacks — three goals in thirteen minutes after being 2-0 down. But they looked vulnerable throughout, and Switzerland are exactly the kind of disciplined, compact, patient side that can expose those vulnerabilities without needing to score a flurry of goals themselves.
Messi is tied at the top of the Golden Boot standings on eight goals. Argentina still have the best individual player in the tournament. Switzerland have the organisation and the game plan to make his evening very uncomfortable. It promises to be tense.
The Semi-Final Picture
France are already through. Spain join them from today’s result. The second semi-final — at the Atlanta Stadium on July 16 at 12:30 AM IST — will be between the winners of tonight and tomorrow’s quarter-finals. Norway or England. Argentina or Switzerland. Four nations, one semi-final place each, four very different stories.
The final is at the New York Stadium on July 20. We now know at least one finalist will be France or Spain. The football world is watching.
Norway vs England — tonight, July 12, 2:30 AM IST on ZEE 5. Argentina vs Switzerland — July 12, 6:30 AM IST on ZEE 5. Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals live in India, only on ZEE 5.
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