Spain and Belgium booked their places in the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals with contrasting victories in the Round of 16, setting up a mouth-watering last-eight clash.
Spain needed a dramatic stoppage-time winner to edge Portugal 1-0, while Belgium produced a clinical display to defeat the United States 4-1.
SPAIN EDGE PORTUGAL 1-0
Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal at the Dallas Stadium on Monday, July 6.
With the contest seemingly destined for extra time, Mikel Merino struck in first-half stoppage time (90+1) to finally break the deadlock and send the European champions through.
Portugal, led by 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in what was expected to be his final World Cup appearance, threatened on the counterattack but were unable to find a breakthrough.
The defeat brought the curtain down on Ronaldo’s remarkable World Cup career, while Spain advanced to the quarterfinals.
BELGIUM CRUISE PAST USA
Belgium booked their place in the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals with an emphatic 4-1 victory over the United States at the Seattle Stadium on Tuesday, July 7.
Charles De Ketelaere starred with two first-half goals in the ninth and 33rd minutes, either side of Malik Tillman’s 31st-minute equaliser for the hosts. Belgium regained control after the interval as Hans Vanaken extended the lead in the 57th before Romelu Lukaku added a fourth deep into stoppage time (90+3) to seal an impressive victory.
The Red Devils’ clinical finishing proved the difference as they comfortably secured a place in the last eight, where they will face Spain in one of the standout quarterfinal ties of the tournament.
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