Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Belgium have been forced into a last-minute team change ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against Spain after Youri Tielemans was forced out of the starting XI due to injury.
Red Devils captain Tielemans was set to start alongside Nicolas Raskin in the middle of the park but was replaced by Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken just 12 minutes before kick-off.
Belgium confirmed on their social media: “Following an injury during the warm-up, Youri Tielemans is replaced in the starting XI by Hans Vanaken.”
The specific nature of the injury has not been confirmed but it has been reported that Tielemans has picked up a hamstring issue.
Youri Tielemans will watch on from the sidelines for Belgium’s quarter-final against Spain (Getty)
Tielemans has been integral in Belgium reaching the World Cup’s last-eight, with his clutch performance against Senegal in the round of 32 saving his country from elimination.
After Romelu Lukaku halved Senegal’s two-goal advantage in the 86th minute, Tielemans came up with an equaliser a minute from time. He then slotted home a last-gasp penalty in the fifth minute of extra-time stoppages, breaking Senegalese hearts and setting up a last-16 tie against co-hosts USA.
Tielemans played the full match in Seattle as Belgium overcame pre-match controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s ban being suspended, dominating the USA to a 4-1 victory.
Vanaken, meanwhile, came off the bench in that clash and was the beneficiary of a clown show at the back by the Americans, with goalkeeper Matt Freese dispossessed before the 33-year-old fired into an open net from range.
Hans Vanaken has come in for the injured Tielemans (Reuters)
He later got an assist to set up Lukaku’s 93rd-minute goal, adding salt to the US wounds.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were left out of the USA tie but returned to the line-up to face Spain, who reached the quarter-finals by beating Portugal.
The winner of the clash in Los Angeles will face France after Didier Deschamps’ side beat Morocco on Thursday.