CORNERFLICK
Belgium’s run at the 2026 World Cup ended in the quarter-finals, despite their substitutes scoring five goals across the tournament.
Romelu Lukaku accounted for three of those goals after coming off the bench in several matches, underlining his impact as a late option for Belgium. Alexis Saelemaekers and Hans Vanaken also scored after being introduced, as Rudy Garcia used his changes to alter games.
That depth helped Belgium reach the last eight, but it was not enough against Spain. Luis de la Fuente’s side went into the tie with the tournament’s tightest defence, having allowed the fewest chances to opponents, and again kept Belgium’s late push in check.
Spain won 2-1 to book their place in the semi-finals. Belgium’s bench numbers stood out, but they could not find a way past one of the tournament’s most organised back lines.