​Rewriting only. The match report centers on a men’s team where a local city rival’s hopes were dashed as Jeremy Doku’s hopes ended with a late 88th-minute winner for the Red Devils. Mikel Merino seized on a spilled ball from substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens to propel Spain into just their second World Cup semi-final.
Rodri controlled the tempo from midfield as La Roja took the lead on 30 minutes. A swift exchange between Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro allowed the overlapping full-back to pull the ball back for Dani Olmo, whose shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois straight to Fabian Ruiz. Ruiz tucked the rebound away as Belgium’s Timothy Castagne attempted a desperate clearance. Courtois then saved Yamal’s free-kick as the 2010 champions tried to extend their advantage, but the game levelled up 11 minutes later.
Spain had not conceded a goal in the tournament prior to this, yet they were breached in the 41st minute thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s influence. The City legend’s smart pass enabled Castagne to whip a cross that De Ketelaere headed home with power. De Bruyne and Doku linked up early in the second half, allowing Maxim De Cuyper to strike against the sidenetting from inside the box. Yet Spain continued to press, with Courtois denying Yamal again before having to leave the field with an injury 20 minutes from the end. His replacement, Lammens, saved Pau Cubarsi’s long-range effort, but Merino pounced when the ball ricocheted loose, sealing Spain’s victory.
Spain will meet France in the semi-final on Tuesday, July 14, at 20:00 (UK) in Dallas. City+ subscribers can watch all three of City’s pre-season fixtures in Asia. The team kicks off in Hong Kong against Inter on Saturday, August 1, at 12:30 (UK). They then travel to Seoul to face a K League All-Stars side on Wednesday, August 5, before concluding against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, August 9, with all matches kicking off at 12:00 (UK). All three games will be accessible on mancity.com and the official app for current CITY+ subscribers worldwide. CITY+ memberships are priced at £34.99 for an annual subscription or £9.99 per month, offering closer access to the Club through documentaries, live games, and full-match replays. Global availability varies by region for certain fixtures, including China, Italy, South Korea, and Spain, with some matches excluded in specific territories. Subscribe to CITY+ now for enhanced access and SEO-friendly visibility.