Spain Edge Belgium 2-1 to Set Up World Cup Semi-final Against France
Spain advanced to the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday, thanks to a late goal from substitute Mikel Merino. The win sets up a semi-final clash with France in Dallas on Tuesday, as reported by multiple outlets including Africa News, Al Jazeera, and France 24.
Coverage Comparison
The match was covered by several news organizations, each with a slightly different focus. Africa News and France 24 emphasized Spain's overall victory and resilience, while Al Jazeera and Dawn highlighted the dramatic nature of Merino's late goal and the misfortune of Belgium's substitute goalkeeper, Senne Lammens. RFI and another France 24 piece took an informative tone, focusing on Merino's skill and the team's progression.
All sources agreed on the key facts: Spain won 2-1, Fabian Ruiz scored the opening goal, Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium, and Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Key Claims
Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, as reported by all five outlets. He had come on as a substitute in the 86th minute and scored from his second touch, pouncing on a rebound after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsi, according to Al Jazeera and others.
Fabian Ruiz scored the opening goal for Spain in the 30th minute, as reported by all sources. The goal came after Thibaut Courtois parried a shot from Dani Olmo, with Ruiz reacting quickest to the rebound, as detailed by France 24 and Dawn.
Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium in the 41st minute with a header from Timothy Castagne's cross, ending Spain's run of 649 minutes without conceding at a World Cup, as reported by Al Jazeera and RFI.
Thibaut Courtois was injured and replaced by Senne Lammens. The injury occurred in the 71st minute (or 77th, according to some sources), with Courtois leaving the field in tears, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.
Youri Tielemans was injured during warm-ups and missed the match, as reported by Dawn and RFI. This was a significant blow for Belgium, who also had Amadou Onana out with a ruptured ACL, according to Dawn.
Spain will face France in the semi-finals in Dallas on Tuesday, as reported by all sources. This will be Spain's second World Cup semi-final, with the last one in 2010, according to France 24.
Mikel Merino also scored the winner against Portugal in the round of 16, as noted by Al Jazeera and RFI, making him a repeat hero from the bench.
Belgium pressed for an equalizer in the final minutes, but Spain held on, with Aymeric Laporte clearing a dangerous chance, as reported by Al Jazeera.
In Brussels, Belgian supporters applauded their team despite the defeat, with many acknowledging that the injury to Courtois changed the course of the match, as reported by one France 24 piece.
Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente hailed his team's performance, as mentioned in the RFI article, though specific comments were not detailed.