Spain Edges Past Belgium to Set Up Semifinal Clash with France

In an exhilarating match on July 10, Spain triumphed over Belgium with a 2-1 scoreline in the second quarterfinal of the men's football World Cup, securing their place in the semifinals against France in Dallas, Texas on July 14. This victory adds another chapter to an already gripping tournament. The first half of the game was somewhat stagnant initially, but dynamic moments unfolded as the match progressed. Spain’s Fabián Ruiz, a Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, showcased his striking ability, netting a goal from close range in the 30th minute to give Spain a temporary 1-0 lead. However, Belgium did not wilt under pressure. With increased confidence, they found an equalizer just before halftime when Charles De Ketelaere scored, marking his third goal in this World Cup. This was particularly notable as it was also the first goal conceded by Spain throughout the tournament, breaking goalkeeper Unai Simon's impressive 650-minute streak without conceding a goal—a remarkable record. In the second half, Spain showcased a stronger performance compared to Belgium, crafting more scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off late in the match when midfielder Mikel Merino, who had just been substituted on for Dani Olmo, scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute. This effort followed a moment of misjudgment by Belgium’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was brought in to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois earlier in the match. Merino’s late goal was reminiscent of his key contribution against Portugal in the round of 16, where he also scored a crucial late goal after being subbed on just minutes prior. With this victory, Spain extends their unbeaten streak to an impressive 36 matches in official competitions, just shy of Italy's record of 37 matches set between 2018 and 2021. Despite not being the most glamorous player on the field, Merino has proven his worth time and again, especially after overcoming a serious injury that almost sidelined him from this World Cup entirely. As Spain now sets their sights on a clash with France, who advanced after convincingly defeating Morocco, the anticipation for the upcoming semifinal builds. The other semifinal will see either Norway or England face Argentina or Switzerland on July 15 in Atlanta. As fans gear up for the matches, one question looms large: Who can stop France? Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2