World Cup Quarter-finals
Spain 2 - 1 FT Belgium
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
30' F. Ruiz
C. De Ketelaere (T. Castagne) 41'
43' P. Cubarsi
HT
55' ↓ A. Baena ↑F. Torres
55' ↓ F. Ruiz ↑Pedri
↓ L. Trossard ↑A. Witsel 60'
↓ H. Vanaken ↑R. Lukaku 60'
↓ M. De Cuyper ↑J. Seys 61'
↓ T. Courtois ↑S. Lammens 71'
79' ↓ M. Oyarzabal ↑N. Williams
K. De Bruyne 85'
↓ K. De Bruyne ↑A. Saelemaekers 86'
86' ↓ D. Olmo ↑M. Merino
88' M. Merino
90'+3 A. Laporte
A. Witsel 90'+5
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Spain
Goalkeepers
Unai Simón 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Pedro Porro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pau Cubarsí 
MAGNET
98
Activity
98
Activity
90
Passes
8
Duels
Aymeric Laporte
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marc Cucurella
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Rodri
MAGNET
103
Activity
103
Activity
101
Passes
2
Duels
Fabián Ruiz 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Lamine Yamal 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Dani Olmo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Alex Baena
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
Forwards
Mikel Oyarzabal
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
BENCH
David Raya 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joan García
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Marc Pubill
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eric García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alejandro Grimaldo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pedri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
39
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Llorente
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mikel Merino 
CLUTCH HERO
88
Goal Time
88
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6.9
Rating
Pablo Gavi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martín Zubimendi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yéremy Pino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ferran Torres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
39
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nico Williams
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Víctor Muñoz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Borja Iglesias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Belgium
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Defenders
Timothy Castagne 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
Nathan Ngoy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brandon Mechele
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maxim De Cuyper
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Midfielders
Hans Vanaken
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Nicolas Raskin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leandro Trossard
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Kevin De Bruyne 
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
19%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Jérémy Doku
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Charles De Ketelaere
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Senne Lammens
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mike Penders
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joaquin Seys
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arthur Theate
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thomas Meunier
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Koni De Winter
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Axel Witsel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Romelu Lukaku
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diego Moreira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexis Saelemaekers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dodi Lukebakio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matías Fernández-Pardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Late Merino Magic Breaks Belgian Hearts at SoFi
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 67/100. Substitute Mikel Merino’s late heroics decided an exhaustive quarter-final siege, proving Spain’s bench depth is their deadliest weapon.
The SoFi Siege
From the opening exchanges at SoFi Stadium, the match pattern was fiercely clear. Spain completely dominated possession with a suffocating 68 percent share, relentlessly locking Belgium inside their own half. The sheer Intensity of the Spanish passing carousel yielded dividends when F. Ruiz finally pierced the backline to open the scoring on the half-hour mark. It was an attacking masterclass that forced the Red Devils into absolute survival mode. A barrage of 16 total shots turned the penalty area into a shooting gallery, testing the Belgian resolve time and again. However, a heroic shift between the sticks kept the scoreline highly respectable. Thibaut Courtois was an absolute wall, pulling off 4 crucial saves to prevent what could have easily been a devastating first-half rout on American soil.
The Belgian Counter-Punch
Despite facing an absolute bombardment, Domenico Tedesco’s men resolutely refused to surrender. They absorbed the suffocating pressure and struck back with lethal, clinical efficiency. In a moment that perfectly showcased the fluctuating Balance of this massive knockout tie, C. De Ketelaere completely silenced the vocal Spanish sections of the crowd, turning in a sharp 41st-minute equaliser courtesy of an excellent sequence involving T. Castagne. Belgium barely saw the ball during the opening forty-five minutes—managing just 32 percent possession and a meagre five total shots over the ninety—but their clinical edge left the tie dangling precariously on a knife-edge. Every single clearance, tackle, and tactical tweak carried immense weight as the second half subsequently devolved into a deeply tense, high-stakes tactical chess match.
The Super Sub Resolution
With the nerve-wracking prospect of extra time looming and legs growing noticeably heavy, the immense Stakes demanded a hero. Enter M. Merino. Introduced in the 86th minute to inject much-needed fresh legs into the midfield, the Spanish substitute incredibly needed just two minutes to irreversibly alter the course of the tournament. His 88th-minute winner broke the stubborn deadlock and shattered Belgian dreams in one ruthless swoop. The hard-fought 2-1 victory ensures Spain confidently progress to the Semi-finals, leaving a valiant but ultimately outgunned Belgian side to pack their bags. For our verdict, Spain’s unique ability to conjure such late, decisive magic from the bench proves they firmly possess the championship mettle required for a deep title run.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Thibaut Courtois?
Thibaut Courtois did not score the winner; he was the Belgian goalkeeper. It was Spain's M. Merino who dramatically netted the 88th-minute winner.
What does this mean for Spain's season?
This 2-1 quarter-final victory means Spain survive a massive scare and progress to the World Cup Semi-finals, keeping their title hopes very much alive.
How did substitute Thibaut Courtois change the game?
Thibaut Courtois played the full match in goal. The actual super sub was Spain's M. Merino, who came on in the 86th minute to score.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Spain's Iron Defence Meets Belgium's Unbeaten Run
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 76/100. A phenomenal clash of unbeaten records where a single mistake at SoFi Stadium will instantly end a World Cup dream.
The Setup
Two steps from glory. That is the reality for Spain and Belgium as they step onto the pitch this July 10, 2026. The tournament shifts into its most unforgiving phase, carrying an off-the-charts Stakes rating. The Spanish side arrives with a flawless defensive record, shutting out every opponent they have faced so far. Their outstanding Form is built on tactical discipline and a suffocating press that leaves teams grasping for air. Belgium, meanwhile, have navigated their own path without suffering a defeat, scoring efficiently while riding out difficult moments. The Balance of this fixture leans toward the Spanish due to their sheer defensive perfection, but the Belgians know how to punish sides on the counter-attack.
Key Battle
This match features a glittering Stars rating, perfectly embodied by Mikel Oyarzabal squaring off against Leandro Trossard. Oyarzabal is the sharp end of the Spanish spear, ruthlessly converting half-chances into defining moments. He will test a Belgian backline that has shown occasional vulnerabilities. On the other side, Trossard is the creative engine tasked with unlocking a Spanish defence that simply does not concede. If Trossard finds pockets of space between the lines, Belgium has a genuine lifeline.
Our Prediction
Spain's defensive solidity is simply too pronounced to ignore. While Belgium possesses the tools to make it a tense affair, they will ultimately be worn down by relentless Spanish possession. Expect a methodical 2-0 win for Spain, securing their spot in the semi-finals.