Spain has advanced to the World Cup semifinals after defeating Belgium 2-1 in a quarterfinal match. The victory extends Spain’s unbeaten streak to 36 consecutive matches since 2023. Fans in Decatur, Georgia, gathered at the Brewhouse in Little Five Points to watch the high-stakes game.
The match saw Mikel Merino capitalize on a late error from substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens to secure Spain’s win. Lammens entered the game in the 71st minute after Thibaut Courtois left due to injury. Seventeen minutes later, Lammens fumbled a shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Merino to score with his second touch of the game.
Belgium had previously defeated USMNT 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals. However, they faced challenges, including losing midfielder Youri Tielemans to a hamstring injury during the warm-up. Spain initially took the lead in the 30th minute when Fabian Ruiz scored from a rebound. Ruiz’s inclusion in the starting lineup, replacing Pedri, proved to be a key decision, as he also contributed to Spain’s attacking play on the left flank.
Belgium managed to break Spain’s long defensive record when Charles De Ketelaere scored with a header following a pass from Kevin De Bruyne. This marked the first goal conceded by Spain in the entire tournament, ending a streak of nearly 11 hours without conceding. Spain had kept five consecutive clean sheets against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria, and Portugal.
Fan reactions in Atlanta
The atmosphere at the Brewhouse in Little Five Points was tense for Spanish supporters. Nicolas Castro, originally from Madrid, expressed his relief, stating, “It was a hard-fought match. I was so happy, so happy to be celebrating. We deserved it.” He added that the team’s performance showed they play as a unit. Iyanna Yapo also shared her relief after the final whistle, saying she was “very happy, and now I can go home and rest peacefully. Go Spain.”
Belgian fans, despite their team’s loss, expressed pride in their performance. Anne Sophie Janssen noted that many did not expect Belgium to advance so far in the tournament. Lacey Monconeuit acknowledged the heartbreak but praised the team’s resilience, stating, “I think they have a lot of grit. They fought the whole game through.”
Upcoming World Cup schedule
With their victory, Spain is scheduled to play France in a semifinal match on Tuesday in Dallas. This matchup is anticipated by some to be a “real” final, pitting two of the tournament’s strongest teams against each other. France’s formidable attack, featuring players like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, will face Spain’s strong defensive and ball-possession strategies.
Two additional quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Saturday. England will compete against Norway, and Argentina will play Switzerland. The winners of these two matches will proceed to play their semifinal game in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The decision regarding a potential handball by Rodri in the box was reviewed and not given as a penalty. The referee, Michael Oliver, and VAR determined that the ball deflected off a teammate at close range, giving Rodri no chance to avoid contact. This decision aligns with guidance from FIFA and UEFA regarding deflections at close quarters.
The injury to Thibaut Courtois was a significant blow for Belgium. Courtois, considered one of the world’s top goalkeepers, left the field in tears with what appeared to be a thigh injury. His replacement, Senne Lammens, despite a strong debut season in the Premier League, was unable to prevent Spain’s winning goal. Spain is scheduled to play France in their semifinal matchup on Tuesday in Dallas.
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Source: fox5atlanta.com
