Spain are making history at the 2026 World Cup. After beating Belgium 2-1 on July 10 in Los Angeles, the national team booked their place in the semifinals for the first time since 2010. But among the stars of the night wasn’t just Luis de la Fuente’s side: Keyne, Lamine Yamal’s 10-year-old brother, stole the show with a celebration that’s now viral worldwide.

What happened with Keyne’s gesture?

Keyne, barely 10 years old, became the center of attention in the SoFi Stadium stands when, after the final whistle, he stuck out his tongue with his arms raised high. The image, bursting with joy, caught everyone’s eye: not just his brother Lamine, who grinned from the pitch, but the players too, who spotted him on the stadium screens. Helena Condis, on El Partidazo de COPE, revealed the gesture’s origin: “Yesterday Lamine was in physio when his mom called the little brother and told him: ‘When we finish the match, if we win, stick out your tongue’.”

The win over Belgium — with goals from Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino — capped off Spain’s fifth straight victory. The team, which hadn’t reached a World Cup semifinal in 16 years, proved once more their knack for grinding out results in tight spots.

Why Keyne’s gesture is now a symbol

Keyne’s outburst wasn’t random. His unbounded joy mirrored the relief and emotion of a nation that, after years of frustration, is believing in Spanish football again. The moment, captured on camera, joined the most memorable images of the tournament: from Yamal’s strikes to the resolute defending led by Pau Cubarsí.

Fans, who had already thrilled to every victory, found in Keyne a new source of pride. His repeated gesture has become a symbol of the hope the national team inspires. And more than that: proof that football stretches beyond the pitch to unite families, fans, and even rivals in the stands.

Spain’s path to the final

With this win, La Roja is through to the semifinals for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Their next opponent is France, waiting on July 14 in what promises to be a blockbuster clash. De la Fuente’s side arrives on a high: five straight wins, a team growing in confidence, and the belief they can chase the title.

The Belgium game delivered unforgettable moments. From Fabián Ruiz’s 29th-minute strike — capitalizing on a rebound in the box — to De Ketelaere’s equalizer before halftime. The second half was pure Spanish grit: Lamine Yamal rattled the crossbar multiple times against a inspired Thibaut Courtois until the Belgian keeper’s injury forced his exit in the 70th minute. But Merino’s 88th-minute finish, after a Cubarsí shot was parried and the Belgians failed to clear, sealed the semifinal berth.

What’s next: France on the horizon

On Tuesday, Spain will face France in a semifinal showdown. A match that, beyond the result, is already a reward for fans who’ve rediscovered faith in their team. La Roja arrives backed by supporters who, like Keyne, keep celebrating every step forward.

Meanwhile, online, the young Yamal sibling’s gesture keeps ricocheting around the world. An image that captures what the 2026 World Cup is about: passion, family, and top-level football. And above all, proof that Spain doesn’t just play well — they make the game matter.