Spain roar into semifinals and ignite the nation
Spain finally breathed easy. After a quarter-final thriller decided in the dying seconds, Spain 2-1 Belgium (10/07/2026) booked their place in the World Cup semifinals with a stunning strike from Fabián Ruiz in the 78th minute. Fans packed plazas and bars across the country erupted as the Napoli midfielder curled a left-footed shot into the top corner. Five straight wins -no draws, no defeats- under Luis de la Fuente have sent a clear message: Spain are on course for glory.
How Spain lived the night
Madrid turned scarlet and gold. In Lavapiés, the square buzzed as kids kicked balls around while adults jostled for sightlines on crammed screens. A local bar flew a full sign for the first time in years: waiters in Spain shirts served beers between cheers every time the ball neared Belgium’s box. At the Basílica de Jesús de Medinaceli, worshippers kissed the Christ’s feet among Spain scarves, though -as one regular put it- “God isn’t a substitute”. Here, only love, health or money get wishes.
The magic of football even invaded the museums. Inside the Prado, opposite The Surrender of Breda, an Argentine draped in a Messi shirt forecast: “See you in the final”. The crowd, oblivious to Velázquez and Magritte, had eyes only for the ball. And the ball, at last, went in.
Why this win feels different
It wasn’t easy. Belgium, packed with physicality and counter-strikes, pinned Spain back despite La Roja’s possession dominance. Morata broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, but the Red Devils equalised before half-time. The game exploded: crunching tackles, edge-of-seat plays and a VAR-reviewed penalty for a Belgium handball inside the box. Rodri made it 2-1 in the 85th -but Fabián Ruiz’s strike had already sealed the night.
Spain didn’t just win. They’ve strung together five straight victories since the World Cup kickoff and play with the same intensity as the Iniesta-Xavi era, plus defensive steel from Laporte and Le Normand.
What stands between Spain and the title?
The semifinal draw is England. On 26 September 2026, Spain will travel to London to face the Three Lions in a clash that smells like a semifinal. Gareth Southgate’s side arrives brimming after beating France, but Spain know that when the heat is on, a player like Fabián Ruiz steps up to decide.
Meanwhile, the country is still buzzing. Flags flap from balconies, memes flood feeds and even the kids playing football in Lavapiés know their team is one step from making history. Spain haven’t just won a game. They’ve won a nation.
