# Unbeaten Spain meets star-powered Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-10 04:29 UTC · Category: Sports · Sources: 19 · Current Velocity: 30.51

## Executive Summary
Spain advances to the World Cup semifinals after a narrow 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals.

## Intelligence Brief
Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to secure a spot in the World Cup semifinals. Mikel Merino played a key role in the victory, with coverage describing him as an effective substitute in the knockout stages.


Reports from ABC News, NPR, and ESPN highlight Merino's performance and Spain's progression. The win sparked celebrations in various locations, including an Atlanta bar, according to FOX 5 Atlanta and Yahoo Sports.


Spain is now scheduled to face France in the semifinals. Other quarterfinal coverage includes the upcoming match between England and Norway.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### What was the final score of the Spain vs. Belgium match?
Spain won the match 2-1.

### Who was noted as a key player for Spain?
Mikel Merino is cited by ABC News and The New York Times as a star and effective substitute.

### Who will Spain play in the next round?
According to NPR, Spain will face France in the World Cup semifinal.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
World Cup, France, Spain, Norway, Belgium, Atlanta, Cup Preview Predictions and Lineups, Mikel Merino, Unbeaten Spain, Belgium World Cup Predictions Best Lamine Yamal Prop Bets Tomorrow World Cup

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Star-Advertiser | Spain edges Belgium to advance to World Cup semifinals | 2026-07-11 00:09 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOT2taRERzeUdsVWluczd3NWU0NW13c1QwZW9YTi1FdHBEZWtTWjhzNDl4WU0wWTVlMTFUVzN0eU84eGFRTEFCeEMtZ09jcDY2TExNNlBFZXJIOUxLLXo2VHBpaTNKNHZQbTVUdHlTM2t3eENwVzJNa2pGakNPbEU3U2FVRjNjdXg5VlIzS0NqbGtnOE5wdlBrV1pjUHdqRHlueGZmRERlSXJCejdHT1RIWQ?oc=5) |
| FOX 5 Atlanta | Atlanta bar erupts as Spain secures World Cup semifinal spot | 2026-07-11 00:09 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxNemNGeENsdmVQZS1hNktsam9CT1hPeDdtbExPdXhkR2tHMVlIbHNpWWFPZkk1bXBleHMyMTFETURMVHdiTGh0MjE3em10LXpsYkxSMUc1Z2h4UXR0czkwRkdxXzlGY0RRS1lXRGtkOEFyVGdiOXRBN040S1NmYUZjN2JWb3JLN2F4ZnMzaTVxMVo1SC1IRl9nUUlYQWNvZVkwM2NCcEFFNk3SAa4BQVVfeXFMTlhOTTJXX25iVlp6SG5vN3E4RldTZ0Q0SndhemdoMDc1YzNLeDlaYkoyd3IxaFVQZlpRc2J4cWdybWVFdEdvMFRNeENJQjdXbzYtRWlBM0huMFRkZXJSRzR6QlRNWmdlOENGbzdOeEltbGNwNjlDbWNVaVR2NUJoY3llSWdsQmlGaFFQRV9HUjRJU1dDSmloSVVKWkFpNlYyXzM0SEFkOXNxQUF) |
| ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals | 2026-07-11 00:09 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxQdXMxa01MNVlhTExrWm94Z3NTN0I1WmNvYnRBZE1JdXpCM2xWWC00RzhkeEFYTHAtaTZGc1YwbHBnaFFEd2dac0ZwVDBvVFZCT2plM08xcmxIUzF0V2JESUZFRzN1bHEyNVZnVEZmUktBT3doRHowR1NDeGhmYlJsQTRHd3lIZGZwU3RQQlJJMVl5X0ZWUDdkS1cyVko3bGvSAaQBQVVfeXFMT2JNci1qNFRCSkVxN291ZWFjdkg4b3F1dTJVeFRsbFhsRUU2N3BtNDlmUGdETDEyczRXdFJVTDVUc0N3S1NVT3p4bDBTb1FRZkp3QW1QWmgwd29qRGhWR0NFU0F4LXRhU3VSYzU5RVVOSXMtTVlXZUVaemQwaTc0OFR1aWY2Uy1aMy01cTgtN0lmcC1JZjNsUXJ3RThfOS15Q29ZZG0?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Mikel Merino is most effective super sub in World Cup knockouts – this is why | 2026-07-10 23:24 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxNSmNJV2tqdENCVGFtQV9pRlFFM2JNaHBYb3BDenQ2VGtuZWQ4ZHFWbGdtTW9mNEdXQmR1RV80Rm1DWlIxUjlXMFp3SWp2NEZZT3NCeE9jMlpPUGlCYTdLc1BqOEJjWjdpTkdvODFCYTVGT21GdFVIdHVwUy1pcDByNHlSZEIxSnAxbHdOeg?oc=5) |
| NPR | Spain edges Belgium and will face France in World Cup semifinal | 2026-07-10 23:24 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxQd0FwYTlKU1VYMkx1Zk9jV01DNmYxVVZWQUZibUZJeWRhRWg3SWxwNU5XVGZZekdQclVjMldsZW10bkZIbmZVWXRjRE5Jd1JGRllEYkVqMWw2ODBmOEwwRG0tcW9rSFpkUWF3UnFqZ2NmMHpfRzNwRHhRV2VfLUJZMXJuRk9tX1VGSHNaV2tDQ0Y?oc=5) |
| ESPN | World Cup 2026 today: Live updates, latest news as Merino strikes again to send Spain through | 2026-07-10 23:24 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi7gFBVV95cUxOa25TZFZ2U3I0SmJRRDZIbHc3ZGJwTWhLeU13VUlYYlFfVHFjeS1iVS1tZk9PQzY5cVYzX2dhS1dYRHItMU1RNVdDRnVpRVFhTFV5RlZRdDJYbk05NXh4eUxUNnVTQTVOSEhQNndHWHA0OWNxTi0taC05ZHZRNGFvd3d3RWZvZXJrZzFlc1V6cm5ybThFdkNOU1pFRU1HdEl3UHR1bUZjOVU1TEFKTHBsak52SVZqdGEza0w0Y3k2NG1hZHg2amR4UC1iYkFyUndtYXhJSl9rYmo5ZEpIVnNEcnpwLXRhSW1pMDk4UjdB?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | 🥳​ Wild celebrations after Spain's win over Belgium | 2026-07-10 23:24 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxQMkdZQXlmWC1VRmluSEVaUS1RYXVjak8yLTBEUnMyUkQ1WGR1dXJIMjd4X1I1cGVibzlIcDQ1ckRsU3N6bkVra0dfbXFVallFVnlFMXFORlgwQ3dsREplLUVnMVpEaFVCekVGOVZFYjlsSmFGbTYzRGJRYmFUZlRZNkg2TEhWYjlqa1E?oc=5) |
| NBC News | If Spain wins the World Cup, this substitute could be the deciding reason | 2026-07-10 23:24 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxNXzNBcFVMS21sTWxqUXA0UE5YVDN4anlRV0RPWnl2NHZYWEVqS0dvYWhsMzRRam5FNjMwbV9jb1RaTDdPTXY1TUtSd1RHQXMyTWFqbjhhZU5uQzJOMV9YRFAwX3ZxdGNndEQyMXpSVnNWYnBSUTN0Y1Z5enBqV3lPbUhpYktVT2xubTBYVWhZdkdCZw?oc=5) |
| CBS Sports | England vs. Norway odds, prediction, preview, picks, start time for World Cup match on Saturday | 2026-07-10 13:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxNZktxRG1oQTBQWkFDeVd0NjZaYmVvVzlidTAteUFKTWktNDJNcl9UcjBBeG9zOGdlNlFmRngzTGNIVnR1VW1lMjN4dVVoVmNtdms4TmdudzFhSDBKYmJscW43LXlVemNmSzRMSWVYWDdLZHNILXVhRnJiUnUtNktEa0Njdjd6TWotQ3VBR2hIOXpONGthS3RZdjVtdDdIUmd4MHdyQTFsbVpISy1zTTdGVFo5MWVXbC1iMnVCRTFuYXVfZzFESjItQg?oc=5) |
| Sports Illustrated | Norway vs. England—World Cup: Preview, Predictions and Lineups | 2026-07-10 13:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxQOUV5Z2hhRFhBVkdWM3pHS0JNUHQyVHY1emxxMTV0SWtYUFp4VjBVLW00S0F4U1ctTmI3LUlZYU42VzIzZGVLT0xLU3R1TmlJenpuOGVKSUVJWFFDMHJFX0t0enMyOUlQb1BBb09nOXg5QW9tUmtTOC1iYnppb0tqVm81VE5RV2RSMk1vbnZFSnVQZkE?oc=5) |
| Al Jazeera | World Cup: Kane vs Haaland in England-Norway quarterfinal striker battle | 2026-07-10 13:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxPcHpfdi11U3RwNFJ4d0Jmdk1GSXNOdzhFOVRRVnRwNW9PY1BVM09QNy1saHFua3pkaXZEUjFxZUw4Yy1BQlhkblRkbDFYbGw5bmtQYTNuenJ4czFDdVVjb015ak1kWXNqRzh0V295LU5YMUt2MVFMQU5QWGVtMW9FRXg5bVBjV2UwSFZJSzRZOF9RUl9aUmc2d2lBanJTUklFbW14UlBjOTY1SDNKaHF4Tzh3R1bSAboBQVVfeXFMT1VpMGR5T3d4RTdPX3ZGR19IUWQ0eThCYXBQZWdrdGZmcVg3bUFwd2czMEZ3cElBT3IzRDRkX0RHZ1VJRUFZdjBVLUZ0d1lpQXdlUmpQQjdtbmJNZE91QTdxNEhoU2dUQmY0UWxhTy1waUkwc2p2eXRQR3BwdFNEMXloTC02REtKZVlNaG16MlVyZlNqQURBVG1LRi0wYTB) |
| ESPN | Harry Kane says Erling Haaland 'completely different player' than me | 2026-07-10 13:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNd3ZDOXBVWkY5U1FfRmdnTjNXNlYzTUNKeDRmS1Vydjc5WWZDUDFzcnpSWE9HLVBrTklPUFNVcjNydGZaYXQyV2FqV1oyVlJVZ2dtUmxtWTRPQ1VmbHU3N0V6OVphWjV4SmhEMnJtVktkTF9Zc0hWenptdm03OXZZMjYxQjJ0TkFVUXA0dG94Z3RaVUNYMHNQdFVCaFVGU0ZDajRNV2pVNA?oc=5) |
| BBC | World Cup 2026: England set for the open-air Miami heat | 2026-07-10 13:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZ0FVX3lxTFBEOEdxaWlxZzhSTFJFX3NZblNuY0ZwUmtKMlZCa3ZmY0w4eFVPQzNWR3VHel9vV2plUUZYdnRYMm1maWZlY2EtbjhZU19YRmt5NkFOUDJPcXA1Y3NCTjdXOE5UTUUxbmc?oc=5) |
| CBS Sports | Lamine Yamal odds, picks, predictions, player props: Best bets for Spain vs. Belgium in 2026 World Cup | 2026-07-10 01:44 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizgFBVV95cUxPM2VwYS1ta3dvcWdIUHJGZFFhci1kdm1HLXlKUVVvSWtsMnRIdE1BcXJ4TlZZTDQ5emNMdmRYYWJwMEVjVndDSHMxRVJ1X0cyd1Q3QTNWSHE3N0I0MVJIM19NRmlQU0ktSFowUFU2ZlZBX1lZV3JaU080YmZTY3ppaVVfdVBTOV9kblFVTkhHemNCZ3VvWk1FQmFGMFNORGJCUjBtWnFsdzlLM2RCMkxPVks5azBDa3d4OUwycjZKQTNhUTV4RmF6UmVTWjNDQQ?oc=5) |
| USA Today | Watch Spain vs Belgium World Cup knockout match: Start time, TV channel, streaming | 2026-07-10 01:44 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxNQ1pUVnMwNkREQUQwMW5iRU9ZYmN0V0lzblE3b3BZbHVQQ2dQeHc0MXNySHdhTlA1UklGQTc4dVFLdzNWZnFWSm54YmxBMXhxY3FBc3NXNGJGc0NYQXhFZ0N5R2hCeEh1ZWViMkFpNmZhamZrWmdkRnFTelp1SExLZG1pS21DaGlndUY4dnpTSXV4VUtpMzNUeklUVlBqN2ZLOU54V2xGcWJPQW5NOTRxbVVld3BkN0tFb2hDQmNXM0I?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://www.newsylist.com/trend/2026-07-10/unbeaten-spain-meets-star-powered-belgium-in-the-world-cup-quarterfinals*
*Synthesized by Newsylist Open Intelligence Engine under E-E-A-T journalistic standards.*