Spain secured a late victory over Belgium to reach the World Cup semi-finals, according to the Guardian's World Cup Daily podcast, which also previewed the upcoming England v Norway fixture.
Key facts
- Spain beat Belgium with a late goal to advance to the World Cup semi-finals.
- A mistake late in the match was lamented by Lammens, according to the Guardian.
- The Guardian's World Cup Daily was hosted by Max Rushden with guests Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Nicky Bandini.
- The panel also previewed the upcoming England v Norway match.
Spain have booked their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup after a late victory over Belgium, according to the Guardian’s World Cup Daily coverage published on 11 July 2026.
The decisive moment came late in the contest, with a mistake attributed to Lammens proving costly for Belgium. The error was a central talking point in the Guardian’s discussion of the match.
The Guardian’s World Cup Daily episode was hosted by Max Rushden, who was joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Nicky Bandini to break down the result and its implications.
Alongside their analysis of Spain’s win, the panel turned their attention to the tournament’s next fixtures, previewing the upcoming match between England and Norway.
The result sees Spain progress deeper into the competition, while Belgium’s campaign is left to reflect on how the game slipped away in its closing stages.
Further detail on the fixtures and the panel’s full analysis is available in the Guardian’s World Cup Daily coverage.
Why it matters
Reaching the semi-finals of a World Cup marks a significant milestone in one of football's biggest tournaments. For fans following the competition, late drama and knockout results shape which nations remain in contention for the title.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Spain beat to reach the World Cup semi-finals?
According to the Guardian, Spain beat Belgium, winning late in the match to advance to the semi-finals.
What happened late in the Spain v Belgium match?
A late mistake attributed to Lammens was lamented, and Spain won the game late on, according to the Guardian's World Cup Daily coverage.
What other match was previewed?
The Guardian's panel previewed the upcoming England v Norway fixture.

