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Men’s World Cup Quarterfinals Live: Spain vs. Belgium
Spain 2-1 Belgium, World Cup 2026: Initial reactions and observations
Lamine Yamal didn’t score or assist, but he remains Spain’s most dangerous player by far. Maybe to the point of overreliance. Until Nico Williams and Mikel Merino came on, Spain were stuck basically passing the ball to Yamal and hoping for the best.
Jeremy Doku is an amazing dribbler, if he had any end product at all he would be a world class player.
People will say that Thibaut Courtois’ injury changed the game for Belgium. It did, but maybe not to the extent that it handed Spain the win. Both goals were scored off goalkeeper rebounds, and Spain largely dominated the match. The pressure was going to pay off eventually.
Full time: Spain 2-1 Belgium. Spain are through to the semi-finals.
87’ — GOAL! Mikel Merino scores after the ball rebounds off Lammens! Spain are headed to the next round!
69’ — Sub: Thibaut Courtois could not continue. He is replaced by Senne Lammens.
65’ — Thibaut Courtois pulls up hurt. After a short conversation, the referee calls a hydration break.
45’ — The second half is underway!
Halftime: Both teams are level.
41’ — GOAL! Charles De Ketelaere heads home to equalize! Spain look shocked!
30’ — GOAL! Yamal releases Pedro Porro who cuts it back inside for Dani Olmo to shoot. Courtois pulls off a save but Fabián Ruiz pounces to score from the rebound.
22’ — Referee Michael Oliver signals a hydration break. Both teams are still level. Lamine Yamal had a big chance, but otherwise chances have been fairly sparse.
Kickoff: We’re underway in Los Angeles!
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups for both teams! Lamine Yamal does indeed start, which is a huge boost for Spain.
Welcome to the Bavarian Football Works daily Men’s World Cup match thread! Every day during this tournament we will have a feature thread for discussion of the day’s matchups.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementToday it is a matchup between EURO 2024 champion Spain, looking to add another World Cup trophy on the heels of European triumph to its cabinet, and still-golden Belgium, fresh off an absolute dismantling of the USMNT.
Spain vs. Belgium (3:00 PM EDT)
Just for fun! Drop yours below.
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Can we get VAR on this?
TV/streaming: Fox One (USA), Peacock (USA en Español), Find Your Country
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