Spain continued their march toward FIFA World Cup glory after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a gripping quarter-final, securing a place in the semi-finals where they will face France. It was a contest filled with quality, resilience and heartbreak, with Spain once again finding a late winner when it mattered the most.
Spain controlled possession from the opening whistle and were rewarded in the 30th minute when Fabián Ruiz fired home after Belgium failed to clear their lines. The European champions looked comfortable, but Belgium responded with character. Just before half-time, Charles De Ketelaere powered in the equaliser, handing Spain their first goal conceded in the tournament and setting up an exciting second half.
The match took a dramatic turn after the break when Belgian captain Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a leg injury after experiencing muscle discomfort. The veteran goalkeeper had already produced several outstanding saves to keep Belgium alive, but his departure proved to be one of the game’s defining moments. Backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens entered under immense pressure as Belgium fought to stay in the contest.
Spain continued to pile on the pressure, with Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Dani Olmo constantly stretching Belgium’s defence. Despite wave after wave of Spanish attacks, Belgium defended bravely and looked capable of forcing extra time.
However, in the 88th minute, Spain finally found the breakthrough. A powerful effort from Pau Cubarsí was spilled by Lammens, and substitute Mikel Merino reacted quickest to slot home the rebound. It was another decisive contribution from Merino, whose knack for scoring crucial knockout goals has become one of Spain’s biggest strengths during this World Cup campaign.
Belgium threw everything forward in the closing minutes, with Romelu Lukaku coming agonisingly close to an equaliser, but Spain held firm to seal a memorable victory. While Belgium bowed out with pride after another spirited performance, injuries to key players and a cruel late mistake ultimately ended their World Cup dream.
With the victory, Spain advances to a blockbuster semi-final against France, as Luis de la Fuente’s side moves one step closer to lifting football’s biggest prize.
Disclaimer: This news has been rewritten for publication purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details may contain inadvertent errors or omissions. Readers are advised to refer to official sources for complete information.
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