Story perspectives

Spain Beats Belgium 2-1, Merino Scores Late Winner

7/12/2026

Summary

Spain Secures Semifinal

Spain defeated Belgium 2–1 at SoFi Stadium on July 10, 2026, to reach the semifinal.
Mikel Merino, who entered as a substitute, scored the 88th-minute winner.
Lamine Yamal warned that France should fear Spain.
The victory marked Spain’s first semifinal since the 2010 title and stretched its unbeaten streak to 37 matches.
The Spain-France semifinal is scheduled for July 14, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Summary

France Eyes Victory

The semifinal on Tuesday, July 14 coincides with Bastille Day, sparking celebrations in Dallas.
Alexandre Rossignol, executive director of Alliance Française de Dallas, said the city prepared for the match and expects a win after three last-four finishes.
Eric Nega, exam coordinator and teacher, expressed confidence in France’s victory because of its finals streak.
NBC 5 DFW offers free accounts to save articles and videos while Hendy’s on Henderson promotes the match.

Summary

Yamal Preps France

Lamine Yamal said Spain have been preparing for the France showdown since the tournament began.
He expects France to press early but doubts they can sustain intensity for the full 90 minutes.
He dismissed group-stage results as irrelevant, citing Germany’s early exit as proof, and praised France’s quality.
He said Spain will rely on possession football to dominate the match and remains unafraid of France.

History

Historical Context

Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph, a 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands after an opening-match loss, marked the nation’s first global title and the first European victory abroad. Building on that era, the team entered the 2026 tournament unbeaten in 23 official matches, extending a record-setting run that began with Euro 2008 dominance. The semifinal against France tests whether the legacy endures.

1 of 4

Spain Secures Semifinal

Spain defeated Belgium 2–1 at SoFi Stadium on July 10, 2026, to reach the semifinal.
Mikel Merino, who entered as a substitute, scored the 88th-minute winner.
Lamine Yamal warned that France should fear Spain.
The victory marked Spain’s first semifinal since the 2010 title and stretched its unbeaten streak to 37 matches.
The Spain-France semifinal is scheduled for July 14, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

1 / 4