FIFA World Cup 2026 — Quarter-finals — QF-2
Spain2–1Belgium
SoFi Stadium · July 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC
Attendance 70492
Score & Timeline
Spain 4-5-1
Spain operated a fluid 4-5-1 that shifted into a 4-2-3-1 in possession. Rodri dropped deep to orchestrate play from the base of midfield, while Dani Olmo, Álex Baena, and Lamine Yamal interchanged positions behind the lone striker Mikel Oyarzabal. The full-backs, Cucurella and Porro, pushed high to provide width, creating a 2-3-5 attacking shape. Defensively, they compressed the midfield, forcing Belgium into long balls.
Belgium 4-5-1
Belgium set up in a compact 4-5-1 mid-block, designed to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. Kevin De Bruyne was given a free role behind Charles De Ketelaere, while Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard hugged the touchlines to exploit space in transition. The double pivot of Raskin and Vanaken was tasked with screening the back four. Defensively, they dropped into a 4-4-1-1 shape, but struggled to maintain width against Spain's full-back overloads.
The defining tactical battle was Spain's possession dominance (67.8%) against Belgium's compact defense. Spain's 5-man midfield overloads in the center (598 completed passes to Belgium's 244) eventually stretched Belgium's shape, creating space for the late winner. Belgium's best chance came from a set-piece (De Ketelaere's header) and a rare counter-attack, but they lacked the ball retention to relieve pressure.
Key Moments
Goal
Fabián Ruiz broke the deadlock with a well-timed run from midfield, finishing a cutback from the left flank. The goal came after sustained Spanish pressure, with Belgium's midfield unable to track Ruiz's late arrival into the box.
Goal
Belgium equalized against the run of play. Timothy Castagne delivered an in-swinging cross from the right, and Charles De Ketelaere rose above Pau Cubarsí to power a header past Unai Simón. A rare moment of Belgian attacking efficiency from a set-piece situation.
Card
Pau Cubarsí was booked for a tactical foul after being beaten by Doku on the counter. The yellow card restricted Cubarsí's aggression for the remainder of the match, a key factor in Belgium's second-half counter-attacking threat.
Card
Kevin De Bruyne received a yellow card for a late challenge on Rodri in midfield. The booking reflected Belgium's growing frustration as Spain began to dominate possession again in the final 15 minutes.
Goal
Mikel Merino scored the winner, arriving as a late substitute. A recycled corner kick found its way to Merino at the back post, where he volleyed past Courtois. The goal was a direct result of Spain's corner count (5 to 1) and inability to clear the ball under sustained pressure.
Card
Aymeric Laporte was cautioned for time-wasting as Spain looked to see out the result. A tactical yellow that disrupted Belgium's final momentum.
Card
Axel Witsel was booked for a frustrated late tackle on Lamine Yamal, summing up Belgium's inability to contain Spain's technical players in the dying moments.
Standout Players
Fabián Ruiz
Spain
Scored the opening goal and was a constant threat arriving from midfield. His 90% pass completion in the final third was crucial to Spain's control.
Mikel Merino
Spain
Scored the 88th-minute winner from a corner, demonstrating Spain's depth and ability to change a game from the bench. His aerial presence was decisive.
Rodri
Spain
The midfield metronome. Rodri completed 112 passes (more than any Belgian player), dictated tempo, and made 4 interceptions to break up Belgium's rare counter-attacks.
Thibaut Courtois
Belgium
Despite conceding twice, Courtois made 6 saves to keep Belgium in the match, including a stunning first-half stop from Dani Olmo. His distribution was also vital for Belgium's limited attacks.
Charles De Ketelaere
Belgium
Scored Belgium's only goal with a powerful header and held the ball up well against Spain's center-backs. He had Belgium's only other shot on target.
What This Means
Spain advances to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after a dominant display of possession-based football that eventually overwhelmed a resilient Belgian side. The 67.8% possession and 17 shots underline Luis de la Fuente's tactical blueprint: suffocate the opponent with passing and wait for the breakthrough. For Belgium, the defeat ends a golden generation's final realistic shot at World Cup glory. Kevin De Bruyne's yellow card and the team's inability to register more than 2 shots on target highlight a lack of attacking cohesion against elite opposition. Spain's reliance on a late substitute for the winner also raises questions about their ability to break down deep blocks in the semi-finals, but their midfield control remains a formidable weapon.
This analysis is generated by AI based on ESPN match data.