​The second quarter-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolded last night as Spain faced Belgium, with a place in the semi-finals on the line and France waiting in the wings. La Roja entered the match as favorites, and they dominated much of the action in terms of possession, passing, and chances created. However, converting those chances into a decisive late winner proved more challenging than expected. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the first half after Dani Olmo’s shot was deflected into his path. Belgium equalised through Charles de Ketelaere just before the break, and it wasn’t until the 85th minute, following the introduction of Mikel Merino, that Spain finally found the breakthrough they sought.
As always, Spain’s matches generate significant interest from Barcelona supporters due to the number of Barça players involved, and last night offered plenty of talking points about how Spain’s Barcelona stars performed on the big stage.
For Barcelona fans, Cubarsi’s role in the decisive goal was especially satisfying. Although not officially credited as the scorer, his shot created the ensuing chaos that culminated in Merino’s late winner, sending Spain into the last four. Cubarsi continued to impress, delivering another composed display at the back. Defensively, he looked assured and mature throughout the match, even though Belgium did threaten at times through De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku. Spain conceded for the first time in the tournament, but Cubarsi never appeared overwhelmed by the occasion. He played with a poise that suggested he belongs at this level and contributed to a performance that reinforced his growing reputation.
Lamine Yamal again stood out as Spain’s chief attacking spark, earning the Man of the Match award for his persistent threat and influence on the game. What’s striking about Yamal is how normal these moments already feel for him. Opponents plan to curtail his impact—defenders double up on him—and yet he still finds ways to influence the proceedings. At only 18 years old, he is not just a precocious youngster enjoying the ride; he is an integral part of Spain’s attacking identity moving forward.
Dani Olmo was another standout for Spain, even if the statistics in this World Cup column do not fully reflect his impact. He may not have scored or assisted a goal this tournament, but Olmo has been one of La Roja’s most consistently excellent performers. The attacking midfielder found space between the lines, used clever body feints to escape pressure, and maintained sharpness from the opening whistle until he was withdrawn. It was Olmo’s shot that Courtois deflected back into Fabian Ruiz’s path for the opening goal, and throughout the match he was highly influential, moving fluidly and creating opportunities for teammates.
One notable surprise of the night was Pedri’s absence from the starting lineup, with the Barça midfielder coming on only in the second half and unable to leave a lasting imprint on the fixture. It seems Pedri has been operating within himself during this World Cup, and Barça supporters will be hoping for a more impactful showing against France in the next round.
Ferran Torres came on as a substitute, adding width and pace in the latter stages of the match as Spain pushed to restore their lead. His late appearance helped to reshape Spain’s attacking thrust, even if it did not result in immediate end-product before the final whistle.
In the end, it was Merino’s late intervention that sealed Spain’s advancement, but the result was built on a collective display characterized by controlled dominance, relentless pressure, and moments of individual brilliance from the Barça contingent. The win sends Spain into the semi-finals to face France, with the promise of more drama and excitement as they chase a place in the final.