Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has termed Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against France a "final before the final," setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between two European powerhouses. The comment came after his team edged past Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Friday, courtesy of an 88th-minute winner from Mikel Merino. Main Developments De la Fuente expressed confidence in his squad's ability to overcome tournament favorites France and their star forward Kylian Mbappe. "It's not an exaggeration to describe this match as a final before the final," he said during the post-match press conference. "We're one of the teams capable of reaching the final." The winning goal against Belgium came from a costly error by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois in the 71st minute. Lammens spilled a low strike from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Merino to pounce and fire home in front of a sold-out, largely pro-Spain crowd at Los Angeles Stadium on a sweltering day. Read also: Why Ronaldo's national team future hinges on one coach's promise Background Spain and France share a rich competitive history, with Spain holding a psychological edge. De la Fuente noted that his team is the only one to have beaten France in two semi-finals: the Euro 2024 semi-final, which Spain won en route to the title, and the 2005 Nations League semi-final. "We're aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we're the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals," he added. Belgium's defeat marked the end of an era for their so-called "Golden Generation." Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne (35), and Romelu Lukaku (33) — key figures in a gifted player pool that also included Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and Marouane Fellaini — saw their final shot at major silverware slip away. Belgium's best tournament performance was a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup. Why It Matters Courtois defended Belgium's legacy despite the quarter-final exit, pointing out that they were often eliminated by eventual tournament winners. "In 2018 I think we were playing the best football in that tournament. So there are things to be proud of," he said, adding that a small nation of under 12 million people had punched above its weight on the global stage. The semi-final pits two contrasting styles against each other. De la Fuente acknowledged the challenge: "The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles. We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team." What's Next Spain now shifts full focus to Tuesday's semi-final, where they will face a France side that has looked dominant throughout the tournament. De la Fuente emphasized the need to raise their level of play. "The match will be more open than ever," he said. "We will have to raise our level of play, and we're going to give everything." For Belgium, the post-tournament transition looms large. Courtois, who revealed he wanted to stay on the field after feeling pain in his right leg but was substituted by manager Rudi Garcia, offered support to Lammens: "I gave him a big hug. He's a great goalkeeper. You only get stronger from this."