In the 2026 World Cup quarter-final in Los Angeles, Spain took an early lead through Fabian Ruiz after a fluid build-up with Lamine Yamal involved, but Belgium responded with a well-worked equalizer from Charles De Ketelaere, his third in two games, to level the match.
The game showcased Spain’s offensive strength under manager Luis Garcia and Ruiz’s role as a key playmaker, with the PSG midfielder continuing a strong tournament form.
Belgium's resilience was on display as they pushed to nullify Spain's early advantage, with Doku providing threats and De Ketelaere finishing clinically to restore parity.
Spain’s campaign had already reflected a confident, dominant group phase, including a 3-0 group-stage win and a 1-0 round-of-16 victory, reinforcing their status as European champions in a tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The goal by Ruiz set the tone for an evenly contested clash as Belgium aimed to disrupt Spain’s rhythm and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities.
Overall, the quarter-final narrative centered on Spain’s early control, Belgium’s timely equalizer, and the continuing influence of Ruiz as a central figure in Spain’s World Cup run.
