Spain advances to World Cup semi-finals after defeating Belgium
Spain secures semi-final berth
Spain has advanced to the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time in their history, following a 2-1 victory over Belgium in a quarter-final match held in Los Angeles. The decisive goal came from Mikel Merino, who entered the game as a substitute in the 86th minute and scored in the 88th minute. This marks a significant achievement for Spain, who will now face France in the semi-finals.
Merino’s late goal was a familiar sight, as he had previously scored crucial late goals to send Spain into a European Championship semi-final two years prior and a World Cup quarter-final four days before this match. His ability to find the net in critical moments has been a recurring theme, with winning goals against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and against Portugal in the last 16.
The match saw Spain patiently build their attacks, with players like Pedri and Nico Williams combining effectively down the left flank. Rodri began to assert dominance in midfield as the game progressed, while Lamine Yamal, who was named man of the match, posed a constant threat to the Belgian defense. Yamal’s efforts to penetrate the defense and create opportunities were notable throughout the game.
Belgium’s World Cup journey ends
For Belgium, their World Cup journey concluded in the quarter-finals, preventing them from replicating their historic run of 2018. The team faced challenges, including the absence of key midfielders. Amadou Onana suffered an ACL injury against the USA, and Youri Tielemans pulled up during the warm-up before the match against Spain, leaving Belgium without their first-choice midfield against a strong Spanish side.
A significant moment in the match involved Belgium‘s starting goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. He was substituted in the 71st minute due to a thigh discomfort, having initially collapsed after blocking a shot from Lamine Yamal in the 66th minute. Courtois, who had made several saves throughout the match, was visibly emotional as he left the field, wiping away tears. His replacement, Senne Lammens, was then involved in Spain’s winning goal, as Merino pounced on a loose ball after a parry from Lammens.
In a post-match interview, Courtois stated that he felt severe pain in his thigh but believed he could have continued guarding the goal, noting that only long kicks were difficult. He mentioned that the coach made the decision to substitute him, and he accepted it, prioritizing the team’s needs. This substitution proved to be a critical turning point in the match.
Belgium‘s manager, Rudi Garcia, has a contract that concludes after this tournament. The squad is reportedly in a transitional phase, with experienced players like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Courtois potentially nearing the end of their international careers, while younger talents such as Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, and Amadou Onana are emerging.
Key moments and player performances
The match was characterized by intense play and several notable individual performances. Lamine Yamal‘s constant pressure on the Belgian defense was a key factor, with Jeremy Doku often tracking back to assist Maxim De Cuyper. De Cuyper was later replaced by Joaquín Seys after an hour of play, indicating the physical demands of keeping up with Spain’s attacking players.
Despite the substitution of Courtois, Belgium continued to press for an equalizer. In the 90th minute, Alexis Saelemaekers dribbled past Unai Simón and delivered a cross, which Pau Cubarsí cleared into Simón’s hands. Romelu Lukaku also attempted to score in the final minutes, but his efforts were thwarted by the Spanish defense, including Merino. The game remained tense until the final whistle, with Spain ultimately securing their place in the next round.
Kevin De Bruyne, despite his efforts, received a booking for a foul on Ferran Torres before being substituted for Alexis Saelemaekers. Earlier in the match, De Bruyne and Doku combined dangerously, with De Cuyper narrowly missing a chance by shooting into the side-netting. These moments highlighted the attacking potential of the Belgian side, even as they struggled to find a breakthrough against Spain’s defense.
The semi-final match between Spain and France is scheduled for July 14th.
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Source: theguardian.com
