They did not make it easy, but Spain found a way to overcome a difficult Belgian side in a 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
Goals from Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino were enough to move the World Cup favourites into the semi-final, where they will face France.
Spain started the match as the team looking for an early opportunity. Looking to take advantage of Belgium’s somewhat piecemeal midfield with the likes of Amadou Onana out injured and the late scratch of Youri Tielemans, Spain was probing through the middle of the park before switching outside to either Marc Cucurella or Lamine Yamal.
Yet Belgium handled the early pressure well. Their backline was organized, and they managed Spanish overloads in the final third handily. Spanish chances were few, and any they had were from outside the 18-yard box throughout the first 20 minutes.
Spain unlocked Belgium in the 30th minute. Dani Olmo received an excellent cutback from the right, setting off the quick release into the hands of Belgium’s keeper, Thibaut Courtois.
However, the goalkeeper was unable to hold onto the ball, and the rebound landed at the feet of Fabián Ruiz. Ruiz had the easy shot, slotting the ball into the net before Courtois had the time to recover.
It seemed as though halftime would come with a Spanish lead, but Charles De Ketelaere stepped up with a clean header in the 41st minute. The cross from Timothy Castagne came from sustained, controlled and elegant passing, leaving Unai Simón’s clean sheet streak in this World Cup at an end.
The second half brought a Spanish side with renewed urgency. Rather than being disheartened by the late first-half goal from Belgium, Spain was on the front foot, winning balls high up the pitch to try and pick off another early goal.
Spanish pressure continually unlocked Yamal. The young attacker kept creeping into dangerous positions, receiving the ball and testing Courtois.
But the Belgian keeper stood up to the task, using the full range of his skill set to keep his country in the fight.
Big drama came in the 72nd minute. Courtois had gone down a few minutes earlier with an apparent injury.
He tried to continue on, but found he was unable. Senne Lammens came on to finish the rest of the match in the Belgian net.
The second half grew increasingly cagey with neither side truly stepping up and taking a risk. Spain looked the more likely of the two nations, but Belgium stood strong for their new keeper.
And just when the match seemed destined for extra time, on came Mikel Merino.
Merino, the late hero against Portugal, jumped on a spilled ball by Lammens off of Pau Cubarsí’s long-shot effort. The Spanish substitute put the ball past the Belgian keeper, leaving them minutes from ending their World Cup run.
There was little Belgium could do with the few remaining minutes of the match. The time for risk was too late. Spain held on for the win and a trip to the semi-final.
Up next
Two matches come tomorrow to end the quarter-final stage. England plays Norway in the first match of the day, followed Argentina and Switzerland.
Discover more from A51
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
