Spain Edge Belgium 2-1 To Reach World Cup Semi-Finals
Spain are into the last four of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010 after a late 2-1 win over Belgium at SoFi Stadium yesterday.
Luis de la Fuente’s side had to dig deep once again, breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute. A slick move involving Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro ended with a cutback for Dani Olmo. His shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois, but Fabián Ruiz was first to the rebound to make it 1-0.
Belgium hit back and leveled through De Ketelaere, who headed home a pinpoint cross from Castagne.
With the game looking destined for extra time, Spain found a winner in the 88th minute. Pau Cubarsí forced a save from Belgium keeper Senne Lammens, and Mikel Merino — on the pitch for just two minutes — pounced on the rebound to send Spain through.
They now face France in the semi-finals.
What they said
Lamine Yamal, MOTM:
“If France have to fear anyone, it’s us. We’re the ones who knocked them out last time.
We’re very happy to reach the semi-finals. We’ve spent many days working. We want to go all the way.
It may seem like we’re not playing beautiful football, but we haven’t played a team on equal footing with us. Everyone drops back to defend, and that makes it more difficult. In the end, we have secured the win again.
All that matters is the team. We came here to win, and that’s the only thing that matters.
I was watching my mother and my brother. I was waving at the screen, they were so happy.
Am I frustrated I didn’t score? Honestly, this does NOT frustrate me. I won the Euro with just ONE goal. As long as we win the World Cup, I don’t think anyone in this room will tell me I didn’t score.”
Luis de la Fuente:
“It’s one incredible team against another incredible team.
Fabián started over Pedri, but either one could have played. We were looking for a different touch with Fabián — more forward reach. We left Pedri for the second half with his freshness and vision.
France will be just as scared as we are. We’re the only team in the world that managed to beat them in two matches consecutively.”
Dani Olmo: “It was a tough match, but we dominated and won.”
Thibaut Courtois:
“Senne Lammens is a fantastic goalkeeper with a bright future. This moment will make him stronger.
I felt a lot of pain in my quadriceps on a goal kick. I informed the coaching staff. I had no problem staying in goal, but in the end the manager decided to take me off. The team goes above everything.
I want to rest for a year without any Belgium matches. Then I want to play in the EURO qualifiers and the 2028 EURO. I don’t know if Belgium will agree to this.”