​In a scorching Los Angeles afternoon, Spain found themselves locked in a tactical duel that unfolded like a frantic chess match moved at hypersonic speed. Spain advanced to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but not without a grueling grind against a Belgium side that refused to yield. Manager Luis de la Fuente pulled a surprising rabbit from the hat before kick-off by shuffling the engine room, sending Fabián Ruiz into the center of things. The gamble paid off in spades. Just after the half-hour mark, Ruiz surged forward, pounced on a loose ball after a Dani Olmo shot was parried, and crashed it into the net to give Spain the lead.
Belgium were far from finished. Right before the interval, Charles De Ketelaere leapt like a high-rise to meet a cross with a powerful header, sending Unai Simón’s previously immaculate record of clean sheets into jeopardy as the ball found the back of the net. The second half dragged on with relentless pressure, a gritty, attritional slugfest that wore down even the most steadfast nerves. Then, in the 88th minute, substitute Mikel Merino charged into the box, met a cross at pace, and stabbed the ball home to spark wild celebrations and send Spain through on a dramatic decision.
Here is how the Spanish players fared on a dramatic afternoon in California.
The goalkeeper had a relatively quiet shift, accepting routine crosses but unable to do anything about De Ketelaere’s bullet header that disrupted his pristine record. A tireless force on the right flank, he bombed forward constantly, delivering a wicked, low cross that helped craft the opening goal. A tough day for the youngster, who looked out of his depth against the physical Belgian frontline, was dragged out of position for the equalizer, and picked up a needless yellow card for pulling at his shorts. He remained a steadying influence at the back, though his passing drifted too slowly, stifling counter-attacking opportunities and earning him a late tactical booking in stoppage time.
On the opposite side, the left-back displayed immense energy, sealing off his wing and linking intelligently with his midfielders through quick, precise passes. The defensive midfielder in front of the back four, widely regarded as one of the best in the world, dictated the tempo, soaking up pressure, and screwing the screws tight on Belgium’s breaks before they could start. A surprise selection paid off handsomely, providing keen instincts to react first to a loose ball and fire Spain into the lead.
In the middle of the park, the engine room personified resilience. His tireless work rate and awareness allowed him to shield the defense, break up Belgium’s advances, and launch rapid transitional passes that kept the Spanish attack ticking. An ideal partner in midfield, he kept the tempo and momentum in Spain’s favor as the game wore on.
An unexpectedly brilliant choice in attack, his movement between the lines created space and opportunities. His early shot found a path to Ruiz’s goal, proving his ability to complicate Belgium’s defensive shape. He also displayed sharp instincts to exploit any lapse in the Belgian formation, though a clash of heads briefly interrupted his momentum, something that had to be managed as part of a bruising contest.
A bright spark in the final third, he scared his marker with sudden bursts of pace and genius runs that left defenders trailing. His presence on the ball raised alarm bells in Belgium’s defense, and his curling shot narrowly missed the target, a whisker away from snapping Spain into a more commanding lead.
Close to the breakthrough, his intelligent movement between the lines created a danger that Belgium struggled to quell. His initial efforts were crucial, setting the stage for Ruiz’s eventual goal that put Spain ahead. A physical collision later in the attack momentarily dampened the mood, but his clever positioning and dynamic runs continued to threaten Belgium’s back line.
In summary, Spain’s performance was a balanced mix of resilience and moments of decisive quality. They navigated a fierce Belgian challenge with careful tactical planning, exploited a key set of moments, and found a late winner to seal a memorable quarter-final victory in Inglewood. The triumph keeps Spain marching toward the business end of the World Cup, while Belgium left with pride in a performance that stretched their limits from first whistle to last.