Spain advances to World Cup semi-final against France after defeating Belgium
Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium, advancing to a World Cup semi-final match against France. The decisive goal came late in the game from Mikel Merino, who capitalised on a mistake by Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper, Senne Lammens. Lammens had entered the match after Thibaut Courtois was forced off due to injury.
Earlier in the match, Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain. However, Charles De Ketelaere netted an equaliser for Belgium, bringing the score level. Spain’s win sets up a highly anticipated clash with France on July 14, as they aim to reach their first World Cup final since their 2010 triumph.
Spain’s Strategic Play and Key Performances
Spain demonstrated patience throughout the game, converting their best opportunities. Despite Belgium keeping them quiet for extended periods, Spain’s ability to score quickly proved crucial. Midfielder Rodri was a dominant force, managing 118 touches and covering significant ground across the pitch. His leadership and precise passing are expected to be vital in the upcoming semi-final against France.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon had an impressive run of six successive World Cup clean sheets dating back to the 2022 tournament. He had gone 609 World Cup minutes without conceding a goal, setting a record. De Ketelaere’s goal for Belgium ended this streak, setting a new target for other goalkeepers at 650 minutes. Simon had already surpassed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga’s 1990 record of 517 minutes.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, acknowledged Simon’s exceptional performance and record, highlighting it as a team effort. De la Fuente has overseen nearly 50 games in charge of Spain, with only two losses.
Impactful Substitutions and Emerging Talent
Mikel Merino’s late winner against Belgium marked his second instance of scoring a winning goal for Spain in a World Cup knockout match as a substitute. Fabian Ruiz has also been remarkably efficient, contributing to five goals across eight career starts for Spain in major tournaments, with three goals and two assists. De la Fuente praised Merino’s versatility, noting his ability to play effectively in various midfield and attacking roles.
Teenage forward Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old, has expressed confidence in Spain’s ability against France. Yamal’s comments follow Spain’s recent successes against Les Bleus, including a 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 semi-final. Yamal became the youngest scorer in European Championship history during that match. His exceptional form throughout the current tournament has been noted through the quarter-final stage.
Belgium’s World Cup History and Goalkeeping Change
Charles De Ketelaere’s equaliser in the 41st minute not only ended Simon’s clean sheet run but also placed him alongside Romelu Lukaku and Jan Ceulemans as Belgium’s joint-top scorers in World Cup knockout matches, each with three goals. Belgium’s exit from the tournament continues a pattern of losing four straight World Cup knockout ties against fellow European sides, a run that began after they last beat a European opponent at this stage, Spain, in 1986.
The injury to Thibaut Courtois led to the introduction of Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, making him the first goalkeeper other than Courtois to play for Belgium at a World Cup since Geert De Vlieger in 2002. Lammens, who had previously stepped in for United, made a crucial error that resulted in Spain’s winning goal.
Spain will face France in the semi-final on July 14.
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Source: nytimes.com
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
