The Spanish national soccer team had to work hard to overcome a Belgian side that played very defensively, going all in during the second half after tying the game on their only clear scoring chance in the first half. In the end, Spain prevailed 2-1 in Los Angeles against a Belgian team that gave up no space, well aware of Spain’s superiority.
With an obvious determination not to falter and avoid elimination, the Spanish players tried to break through the Belgian defense, but with too many touches and without taking risks.
It was center back Cubarsí who decided to break through the Belgian defense with a shot from outside the box in the 86th minute, forcing a save from goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Courtois just minutes earlier. Merino, who had come on two minutes earlier, was alert to the play and arrived just in time to pounce on the rebound and score the winning goal.
Merino was once again decisive, just as he was against Portugal, scoring the goal in the final minutes that secured Spain’s spot in the semifinals, where they will face France next Tuesday in what is shaping up to be an early final.
Spain opened the scoring in the 30th minute thanks to Fabián Ruiz, who capitalized on a rebound from Thibaut Courtois following a play involving Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal that Dani Olmo had finished.
Fabian dedicates his goal against Belgium to his pregnant wife. Photo X
After taking the lead, Spain enjoyed its best stretch of play and created chances, but it was Charles De Ketelaere who equalized the match before halftime, capping off a play initiated by Kevin De Bruyne.
With this victory, Spain returns to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since its historic 2010 title and will face France on July 14, after France eliminated Morocco in the other quarterfinal matchup.
