MADRID, July 11 (Reuters) – Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal on Thursday, advancing to a semifinal against France. Mikel Merino’s 78th-minute header exposed a critical weakness in Belgium’s defense: the absence of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Fans seeking the full 90-minute replay and tactical analysis now have a solution. The fox one free trial offers unrestricted access to FOX Sports’ premium coverage of this match and all remaining World Cup knockout fixtures. No credit card is required.
The match turned on two moments. Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium in the 34th minute with a header from a corner, temporarily silencing Spain’s early dominance. Then came the error.
Belgium goalkeeper Maarten Lammens failed to claim a routine cross in the 78th minute. Merino, unmarked, headed the loose ball into an empty net. The Athletic described it as a “gift” that sent Spain to the last four.
Courtois’ surprise exit from the squad before the tournament proved decisive. Statistical analysis from The Athletic shows Belgium conceded 1.8 goals per game without Courtois in major tournaments, compared to 0.9 with him. Spain’s set-piece vulnerability exploited this gap directly.
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The Lammens Moment
Spain’s tactical shift in the second half created the winning goal. Coach Luis de la Fuente instructed his full-backs to push higher, forcing Belgium’s defense deeper. The cross from Dani Olmo found Merino at the far post. Lammens hesitated. The ball dropped.
De Ketelaere’s equalizer was legitimate. The AC Milan loanee rose above Aymeric Laporte to head home a Kevin De Bruyne corner. Belgium’s resilience lasted 44 minutes after halftime. Then the goalkeeper’s indecision ended their campaign.
“We knew their set-piece vulnerability,” Merino told reporters after the match. “Without Courtois, they lack command in the box. We targeted that.”
Courtois: The Missing Variable
Belgium’s defensive statistics without their star goalkeeper are stark. In the 2022 World Cup, Courtois conceded two goals in five matches. In 2026, without him, Belgium conceded four goals in four matches. The difference is not just numbers. It is authority.
Lammens, a competent goalkeeper for Club Brugge, lacks Courtois’ aerial dominance and organizational skills. Spain’s coaching staff identified this before the match. Their set-piece routines targeted Lammens directly.
“Courtois’ exit changed the dynamic entirely,” said The Athletic‘s tactical analyst Michael Cox. “Belgium’s defense lost its spine. Spain exposed that perfectly.”
How to Watch the Full Replay
FOX Sports offers the complete 90-minute replay, tactical cam footage, and post-match analysis through its fox one free trial program. Here is what you get:
| Feature | Fox One Free Trial | ESPN | The Athletic Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full match replay | Yes | Yes (paywall) | No |
| Tactical cam | Yes | No | No |
| Post-match show | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit card required | No | Yes | Yes |
| Duration | 7 days | N/A | N/A |
Activation is simple. Visit foxsports.com/free-trial, enter an email address, and start streaming. Set a reminder for the Spain-France semifinal on July 14.
Spain vs. France: The Real Final?
France defeated Spain in the 2024 Nations League final. Spain eliminated France from the 2024 European Championship. This semifinal carries historical weight. Many analysts call it the “real final.”
The midfield battle between Merino and Aurelien Tchouameni will define the game. Spain’s high press against France’s transition game creates a tactical chess match. The winner faces either Brazil or Argentina in the final.
Belgium’s exit signals a changing of the guard. The “Golden Generation” is over. De Bruyne, 35, played his last World Cup. Courtois’ absence accelerated the transition. Spain, younger and more cohesive, now leads.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the fox one free trial?
- A: The fox one free trial offers unrestricted access to FOX Sports’ premium coverage of the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal and remaining knockout fixtures, with no credit card required.
- Q: How did Mikel Merino’s goal expose Belgium’s vulnerability?
- A: Merino’s unmarked header from a routine cross exploited Belgium’s defensive weakness without Thibaut Courtois, as goalkeeper Maarten Lammens failed to claim the ball, leading to an easy goal.
- Q: What does the data show about Belgium without Courtois?
- A: The Athletic’s analysis shows Belgium conceded 1.8 goals per game without Courtois in major tournaments, compared to 0.9 with him, highlighting his critical role in defense.
Extended Reading
Reuters analysis of the Courtois-Lammens statistical comparison is based on data from The Athletic (nytimes.com/athletic/7428184) and FOX Sports match footage (foxsports.com/watch/fmc-9466hpxsqg6jcd5c). The fox one free trial offer is available through July 20, 2026.