Match Summary
Spain booked their spot in the semi-finals with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Belgium at the Los Angeles Stadium, courtesy of late heroics from the bench.
Key Match Moments:
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30th Minute: Spain broke the deadlock after intense early pressure. Midfielder Fabián Ruiz found space on the edge of the area and fired a clinical strike past the goalkeeper to give the Spanish side a 1-0 advantage.
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41st Minute: Belgium struck back right before the interval. Forward Charles De Ketelaere pounced on a defensive lapse to rifle home a well-deserved equalizer, drawing the teams level at 1-1.
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71st Minute: A massive blow for Belgium occurred as star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off the pitch due to an injury, leaving backup keeper Senne Lammens to take over under immense pressure.
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88th Minute: The decisive moment arrived just minutes before the final whistle. A long-range effort from Pau Cubarsí was spilled by Lammens, and Spanish substitute Mikel Merino reacted quickest to poke home the loose ball, making it 2-1.
Standing & Bracket Impact: With the final whistle, Spain secures only their second-ever ticket to a global semi-final stage, matching their historic 2010 run. Lamine Yamal took home player of the match honors after tormenting the opposition defense all night. Spain now marches into a heavyweight semi-final showdown against France scheduled for next Wednesday, while Belgium exits the tournament in the quarter-final round.