A night of drama in Los Angeles
The quarter‑final clash at the Los Angeles Stadium delivered everything a football fan could hope for. Spain opened the scoring when Fabian Ruiz found the net in the 12th minute, only for Charles De Ketelaere to restore parity shortly after. The game was further enlivened by the emergence of 16‑year‑old Lamine Yamal, whose pace repeatedly troubled Belgium's defence.
Mikel Merino, introduced as a substitute, became the decisive figure, striking the winner in the 84th minute. His goal marked a historic first: he became the first player in World Cup history to score the decisive goal in two separate knockout matches while coming off the bench. The strike was celebrated by teammates and the crowd alike, underscoring the impact of tactical changes.
Belgium's preparations were hampered by a string of injuries. Captain Youri Tielemans was ruled out before kickoff, and midfielder Amadou Onana was sidelined with an ACL injury. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also limped off, prompting Senne Lammens to step in between the posts. Despite these setbacks, the Belgian side showed resilience, with Timothy Castagne and Hans Vanaken contributing in midfield.
The victory propels Spain into the semi‑finals, where they will meet France in a repeat of their 2018 encounter. Spain's young talents, including Pedri and Unai Simon, are expected to play pivotal roles. Analysts note that performances in Los Angeles could attract interest from top clubs such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint‑Germain, both of which are monitoring emerging stars.
The match also drew a glittering audience, with Hollywood figures Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem seated in the stands. Music legends Courtney Love and Noel Gallagher were spotted chatting with fans, adding a cultural buzz to the sporting spectacle.