Belgium Concedes Minutes After Star Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Subs Off
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was substituted due to an injury during the World Cup quarterfinal match against Spain on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium.
Spain Sport News
Belgium Ends Spain's Record Shutout Streak With Quarterfinals Goal
Unai Simon’s impenetrable wall finally crumbled at the World Cup.
Merino’s late strike sends Spain past Belgium into World Cup semis
INGLEWOOD, California: Spain substitute Mikel Merino fired home from close range in the 88th minute to snatch a 2-1 win for his side over injury-hit Belgium on Friday and set up a semifinal clash with France. After the teams went in level at 1-1 following the first half, Spain found the winner when Belgium’s back-up goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who came on in the second period for the injured Thibaut Courtois, failed to hold Pau Cubarsi’s low strike. The ball bounced in front of the keeper, giving Merino just enough time to fire home as the sold-out crowd largely backing Spain erupted on a sweltering day at Los Angeles Stadium. The only other time Spain have reached the semifinals at the World Cup was in 2010, when they won the tournament. They came fourth in 1950 when the final round was a group stage.
Spain shrugs off allowing its first goal at 2026 World Cup to reach semifinals
Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory on Friday in Inglewood, Calif.
Belgium's Tielemans misses out in late change, Spain bench Pedri
INGLEWOOD, California, July 10 : Belgium captain Youri Tielemans was withdrawn from the starting lineup due to a hamstring injury sustained during the warm-up, the Belgium FA said, forcing a late change before Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Spain, with Hans Vanaken replacing him and Kevin De Bruyne taking the armband.
England quarter-final special for Norway and their Keegan-loving coach
MIAMI, July 10 : Stale Solbakken took a moment to pass on his best wishes to Kevin Keegan on Friday ahead of Norway's World Cup quarter-final against England - an indication, the coach said, of his country's deep connection with the English game.
Spain bench Pedri, De Bruyne and Doku start for Belgium
INGLEWOOD, California, July 10 : Spain manager Luis de la Fuente made one change for Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Belgium, dropping Pedri to the bench for Fabian Ruiz, while Rudi Garcia recalled Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku in two Belgium changes.
Mbappe keeps France’s greats comparison on ice as semi-final beckons
BOSTON, MA, July 10 : France have been drawing comparisons with greats of the past with their World Cup run, in which Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have scored 13 goals between them, but Les Bleus' captain said the current team have not achieved anything yet.