World Cup Update: It's Spain vs France in the semi-finals next week!

Mikel Merino celebrates at full-time after helping Spain past Belgium with a late winner on his introduction on Friday night. Spain won 2-1 ...

Mikel Merino celebrates at full-time after helping Spain past Belgium with a late winner on his introduction on Friday night. Spain won 2-1 to book a semifinal date with France. (Photo credit: BBC)

Spain booked a date with France in the semifinal of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup after seeing off Belgium in a keenly contested game on Friday night.

The game was closer than many expected, with La Roja once again needing their unsung hero, Arsenal's Mikel Merino, late in the game after Manchester United goalkeeper Senna Lammens fumbled an attempt to catch the ball in Merino's path. The Arsenal man made no mistakes from close range.

Merino had done the same thing in Spain's previous game against Portugal, scoring after just a few minutes of his introduction. Thibaut Courtois was injured during the game, and the United man was sent on to replace him. Lammens' mistake proved costly as Spain advanced to the last four.

France beat Morocco convincingly to book a place in the semi-final; on Thursday, Les Bleus will now face Spain in what many believe will be the biggest fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's a game of great significance, given the talents on both sides.

Looking ahead to that fixture, where could the battle be won and lost? France looks like the most balanced squad in the tournament, with fluid players and solid defence. How can Spain unlock the 2018 champions? This might be stretched for longer than France would like.

Spain won their last two games by scoring late goals, while France decided most of their games as early as the hour mark. Is there something there for France to take note of? Will Spain try to force France into the "Merino moment" as they have done in their last two games?

France is talented across the board. From a seasoned goalkeeper to a solid defence of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, to the pivot of Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot, you just can't see past Les Bleus as the favourite to win this tournament.

Upfront, the ridiculous talent available to Didier Deschamps will humble any opposition. With Ousman Dembele, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, and Michael Olise all playing around Kylian Mbappe, can Spain's defence stop these proven attacking talents?

Merino has changed the game twice in Spain's favour over the past two games. Is there anyone else on the Spanish bench who can impact games positively? In depth, France still holds the aces; this is looking a lot like it will only end one way.

Finally, in terms of technical nous and experience in the dugout, Deschamps has proven over time to be the man in that regard: a World Cup winner and a Euros and World Cup finalist, neck and shoulders above De La Fuente of Spain. Is this another factor in handing the final ticket to France?