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HIGHLIGHTS | FIFA World Cup 2026, Day 30: Merino's late strike breaks Belgian hearts to set up Spain's semi-final showdown with France

It was the Arsenal midfielder's second straight late winner from the bench, after he scored the crucial goal against Portugal in stoppage time on Monday.
Spain's Mikel Merino, second from left, and others celebrate after Merino scored his side's second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium on July 10, 2026.
Spain's Mikel Merino, second from left, and others celebrate after Merino scored his side's second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium on July 10, 2026. (Photo | AP)
TNIE online desk
Summary

Welcome to TNIE's live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

The first quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw France overpower the African champions Morocco with a clinical 2-0 win to book their third consecutive semi-final appearance.

Day 30 will see unbeaten Spain meet star-powered Belgium in the second quarterfinals. If Spain win, they will head to Texas next Tuesday for a mouth-watering semi-final against the French that many observers are already describing as the final before the final.

Here is Day 30's fixture:

Spain vs Belgium — 12:30 am (IST)

Unbeaten Spain meets star-powered Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals

While Spain has been Europe's most consistent winner for the past 3 1/2 years, Belgium has played its way into position for what could be the final chance for its golden generation to do something spectacular together.

“Everyone is already talking about us going home, but we believe we can do it,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said through an interpreter Thursday. “We believe we can pull off an upset, and we will do everything we can to get to the semis.”

The tantalizing clash at SoFi Stadium matches a pre-tournament favorite and the reigning European champions against Belgium, which has never quite reached its full potential despite the big-money stars across its roster.

The winner faces France in the Dallas area on Tuesday in the semifinals, and Spain is enough of a perceived favorite that coach Luis De La Fuente had to parry several questions from his national media Thursday about that potentially titanic clash with Les Bleus.

Lukaku likened the feeling of this match to the Red Devils' meeting with Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals eight years ago in Russia — a game his team won 2-1 in stunning fashion.

“Tomorrow we need to play the perfect game if we want to proceed,” said Lukaku, Belgium's career goals leader. “Spain is an excellent team. They’ve been playing the same type of football since 2008. They're well prepared, but we have certain assets that can make life difficult for them. We love the challenge.”

Yamal's best 'yet to come,' warns Spain coach

The best of Lamine Yamal is yet to come at this World Cup, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente warned, ahead of Friday's quarter-final clash with Belgium in Los Angeles.

"We know that the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something that we haven't quite seen yet in this World Cup. Not to the level that we're used to," said De la Fuente.

The prodigiously gifted Yamal has just one goal and no assists at the tournament so far, having arrived in the United States still recovering from a late-season injury.

But he has been a constant menace to opposing defenders attacking predominantly down Spain's right flank.

"We were facing a powerhouse of a rival, and the defender who was marking him ultimately had to do so much that he was injured," said De la Fuente.

At still just 18 years of age, Yamal has gained a lesson in "maturity" from the challenges he has faced at this World Cup so far, his coach said.

"He doesn't need extra motivation. You actually sometimes have to calm his intensity. He's very motivated -- he wants to do so much," said De la Fuente.

'Everyone' expects Spain to beat us, says Belgium coach

Coach Rudi Garcia said "everyone" expects his Belgium team to be eliminated by Spain in Friday's World Cup quarter-final, but backed his side to pull off a famous victory.

European champions Spain enter the match in Los Angeles as strong favorites, having not conceded a goal all tournament.

Belgium have had a more testing time of it, only narrowly topping their group after two draws with Egypt and Iran, and requiring a late comeback to dispatch Senegal.

But at a press conference Thursday, Garcia appeared to relish being dubbed the "underdog."

"Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it," said the coach.

"We think we can pull it off, and we're going to do everything we can to get to the semis."

Belgium did find their feet in Monday's round-of-16 clash, thrashing the United States 4-1 to end the hopes of the World Cup co-hosts.

Merino strikes late as Spain beat Belgium to set up France World Cup semi

Super sub Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and sent Spain through to a World Cup semi-final against France with a late goal in a gripping 2-1 win on Friday.

The stunning finish at SoFi Stadium sets up a tantalizing showdown between European champions Spain and the tournament favorites France and the red-hot Kylian Mbappe in Dallas on Tuesday.

But it was heartbreak for Belgium's substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, sent on late, who spilled a shot into the path of Merino.

The dramatic finale came after Fabian Ruiz had opened the scoring for Spain, before Charles De Ketelaere grabbed one back for Belgium against the run of play before halftime.

A tearful Courtois was forced off by injury after 70 minutes. He was replaced by Lammens, the 24-year-old Manchester United 'keeper making his World Cup debut in daunting circumstances.

It turned out to be a nightmare.

In the 88th minute, Cubarsi shot low from range, and Lammens should have held onto the ball. Instead substitute Mikel Merino was first to the rebound, smashing it home.

It was the Arsenal midfielder's second straight late winner from the bench, after he scored the crucial goal against Portugal in stoppage time on Monday.

Belgium finally ends Unai Simón’s 650-minute World Cup shutout streak in quarterfinals

 Unai Simón’s impenetrable wall finally crumbled at the World Cup.

The Spain goalkeeper had kept a clean sheet for a record 650 minutes — the tournament's longest scoreless streak — before Belgium ended it in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Charles De Ketelaere got in front of Pau Cubarsi to head in Timothy Castagne's cross in the 41st minute, making the score 1-1. Spain won 2-1 to advance to the semifinals next Tuesday against France.

Belgium became the first team to score against La Roja at this year's World Cup, snapping their tournament record of six consecutive clean sheets.

Spain’s streak began with a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 at the last tournament in 2022, when Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout. There was also a surprising scoreless draw against Cape Verde to open group play this year, followed by four consecutive shutout victories to advance to the quarterfinals.

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores their opening goal past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026.
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores their opening goal past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026.(Photo | AP)

Courtois backs Lammens to bounce back after World Cup blunder

Thibaut Courtois rallied behind Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Friday after the Manchester United stopper's agonising late blunder gifted Spain a 2-1 victory in their World Cup quarter-final.

Real Madrid star Courtois exited the game in the 71st minute after complaining of a muscular problem, making way for 24-year-old understudy Lammens at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

But Lammens' appearance off the bench ended in calamity, when he failed to deal with a long-range strike from Pau Cubarsi, and Mikel Merino pounced to blast in an 88th-minute winner for Spain.

Courtois, 34, who revealed to reporters that he had wanted to stay on the field before being subbed off, offered sympathy to Lammens.

"I gave him a big hug. He's a great goalkeeper. You only get stronger from this," Courtois said of his teammate.

"Eventually you cannot say much more to him or give him much more advice. He is a strong guy, strong personality. I'm sure he'll be fine.

"You know, he will have some holidays and then regroup in Manchester and have a great season."

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Belgium
2026 FIFA World Cup

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