Spain’s quest for a fifth World Cup title took a decisive turn on Tuesday as they edged Belgium 2-1 in a tightly contested quarter-final held in Inglewood, California.
A Late Winner in Dallas
The breakthrough came early when Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, only for Charles De Ketelaere to level the match before the break in the 41st minute.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Mikel Merino struck, sending the Spanish bench into celebration and putting the team on the cusp of a semi-final berth.
Midway through the second half, veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was replaced by Senne Lammens, a change that added a fresh dynamic to the defensive line.
A Clash with France Awaits
Spain will now travel to Dallas on Tuesday to meet France, a team that has been in fine form throughout the tournament. The upcoming semi-final promises another high-stakes encounter.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon kept his composure between the posts, while full-back Timothy Castagne provided defensive stability, and young midfielder Dani Olmo orchestrated play from the centre. Emerging talent Pau Cubarsi also featured, underscoring the depth of Spain’s squad.