Spain's Mikel Merino (6) celebrates after their win in the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Spain has reached the World Cup semifinals, getting a late goal from Mikel Merino to beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday in Inglewood, California. La Roja conceded their first goal of the tournament but extended their unbeaten streak to 37 matches. Spain will meet France in the semis on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Spain’s Mikel Merino (6) scores their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Spain’s Mikel Merino (6), center, scores their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Spain’s Mikel Merino (6) celebrates scoring their second goal in front of Belgium’s Timothy Castagne (21) and goalkeeper Senne Lammens (12) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)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. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) reaches for the ball behind Belgium’s Nicolas Raskin (23) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)A Spanish fan cheers before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)Spain’s Fabian Ruiz (8) reacts after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)Spain’s Mikel Merino (6) scores his side’s second goal as Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens (12) defends as during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (9) reacts during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)Spain’s Dani Olmo (10) battles for the ball with Belgium’s Brandon Mechele (4) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Spain’s Dani Olmo (10), right, and Belgium’s Nicolas Raskin (23) challenge for the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) receives treatement during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) controls the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) and Nico Williams (17) celebrate in front of Belgium’s Joaquin Seys (18) after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.