World Cup 2026 : Spain set for blockbuster semi final against France

France 24 reports that Spain has advanced to the World Cup semi-final, defeating Belgium two-to-one in the quarter-finals. Fabian Ruiz gave la Roja the lead in the 30th minute, but Belgium equalized 11 minutes later on a De Ketelaere header, ending Spain's remarkable 649-minute run without conceding at the tournament. In the second half, Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaud Courtois suffered a thigh injury and had to leave the pitch. Mikel Merino, on the pitch for just 100 seconds as a substitute, scored the decisive goal on a rebound—repeating his heroics from the Portugal match. Spain will now meet France in the semi-final. It's Spain's second World Cup semi-final appearance; their last one was in 2010, when they went on to win the tournament.

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