By Bilal Ahmed
Spain advances to semi-finals
Spain secured a World Cup 2026 semi-final spot after defeating Belgium in a quarter-final match. The victory sets up a clash with France in Dallas. Mikel Merino scored a late winner for Spain. His goal came after Belgium’s backup goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, fumbled a shot, just minutes after replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Earlier in the match, Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain. However, Charles De Ketelaere quickly equalized for Belgium with a header. Spain, considered by many as favourites for the tournament, maintained their unbeaten record since June 8, 2025, and have not conceded a goal in their five World Cup matches this year, showcasing a strong defensive performance.
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to face France, noting that his squad has previously defeated them twice. This marks only the second time in their history that Spain has reached a World Cup semi-final, with their previous appearance in 2010 culminating in a tournament win.
Key player performances and team dynamics
Spain’s squad features a wealth of talent, including Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old who has become the first player to make more than five World Cup appearances at his age or younger. He is supported by a strong midfield comprising players like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Pedri, and Dani Olmo. Rodri, in particular, has made a significant impact with 62 line-breaking passes in the final third during this tournament.
Mikel Oyarzabal, a striker for Spain, highlighted the team’s solid core group, emphasizing their ability to respond regardless of circumstances or individual players. Mikel Merino, the match-winner, shared his excitement for the upcoming semi-final, anticipating an attacking game between two elite teams.
For Belgium, the match was challenging, especially after the injury to their primary goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Courtois, who had not failed to complete 90 minutes for Belgium since 2012, was replaced by Senne Lammens. Lammens’s error led to Spain’s winning goal, marking a difficult World Cup debut for the goalkeeper.
Despite the loss, Belgium’s head coach, Rudi Garcia, expressed pride in his team’s World Cup journey, stating that they had nothing to feel humiliated about. He acknowledged the unfortunate timing of events, including key injuries, which impacted their game plan. Romelu Lukaku, a veteran striker for Belgium, noted that the team needed to play a perfect game against Spain, acknowledging Spain’s consistent playing style since 2008.
Looking ahead to the semi-final
The upcoming semi-final between Spain and France is highly anticipated. France advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Morocco 2-0. Kylian Mbappé, a key player for France, scored and assisted in their quarter-final victory, though he left the field with an ankle injury. Reports suggest the injury is not serious, and his substitution was likely precautionary ahead of the semi-final.
Lamine Yamal of Spain expressed confidence about facing France, stating that if anyone should be afraid, it should be France, given Spain’s previous success against them in the Euros. The match is expected to be a significant event, drawing attention from football fans globally, as Spain aims for their first World Cup final appearance since their triumph in 2010.
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Source: cnn.com
