Spain are into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 16 years after grinding past Belgium 2-1 in a tense quarter-final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday. Substitute Mikel Merino settled it in the 88th minute, sending La Roja through to face France in the last four.
The result wasn’t really what people were talking about afterward, though. The match got overshadowed by a refereeing call: Belgium wanted a penalty after the ball hit Rodri’s arm inside Spain’s box, and didn’t get one.
Why didn’t Belgium get the penalty?
Ball hits arm, Belgium players immediately appeal, referee Michael Oliver waves it away. VAR looked at it too and chose not to intervene, which is what really set off the arguments online afterward.
Ayer le regalaron un penal a Francia y hoy le perdonan un penal a España. Vergonzoso.
— Ramiro Marra (@RAMIROMARRA) July 10, 2026
Si esto pasara con Argentina, sería un escándalo mundial, para que vean la doble vara. pic.twitter.com/0qcw3eRgp1
Victor, a Swedish referee instructor who runs an account explaining decisions like this, laid out why the call was correct under the current laws of the game. If the ball comes off a teammate’s head or body first, then deflects onto a player’s hand or arm, it’s not a handball.
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That’s what happened here. Aymeric Laporte headed the ball, it deflected onto Rodri’s arm, and officials also ruled his arm was in a natural position. Either point on its own likely settles it under the current rule.
What’s next for Spain?
They play France on Tuesday, July 14, in Arlington. Spain are unbeaten in 36 matches now and already knocked out Portugal on the way to the semis, so De la Fuente’s side go in with something to build confidence on.
Their only World Cup title came in 2010. Sixteen years is a long wait, and this run is the closest they’ve looked to getting back there.
Where to watch
The semi-final airs on the Zee5 app and website.
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