​Lamine Yamal didn’t find the back of the net or rack up an assist, yet he remains Spain’s most dangerous outlet by a wide margin—perhaps to the point of almost overreliance. Until Nico Williams and Mikel Merino came on, Spain seemed to be simply passing to Yamal and hoping for something to transpire.
Jeremy Doku is an exceptional dribbler; if he could add finishing quality, he would be a world-class star. Some will argue that Thibaut Courtois’ injury swung the match in Belgium’s favor. It did have an impact, but perhaps not to the extent that it handed Spain the victory. Both of Spain’s goals came off goalkeeper rebounds, and Spain controlled large portions of the game. The pressure seemed destined to yield a breakthrough eventually.
Final score: Spain 2-1 Belgium. Spain advance to the semi-finals. In the 87th minute, Mikel Merino buried the winner after the ball rebounded off Lammens. The 69th-minute substitution saw Courtois exit and Senne Lammens come on. Earlier, at the 65th minute, Courtois had pulled up injured; after a brief consultation, the referee signaled a hydration break. The second half began at the 45th minute, with halftime leaving the teams tied. In the 41st minute, Charles De Ketelaere headed Belgium level, shocking Spain. Ten minutes earlier, at the 30th minute, Yamal released Pedro Porro, who cut it back for Dani Olmo to shoot; Courtois saved, but Fabián Ruiz pounced on the rebound to score. A hydration break was called in the 22nd minute as both teams remained level, with Lamine Yamal having had a notable chance, though chances otherwise were scarce.
Kickoff has arrived—we’re underway in Los Angeles! An hour before kickoff, the lineups were announced, and Yamal starting was a major boost for Spain. Welcome to the Bavarian Football Works daily Men’s World Cup match thread, a feature we publish for each day of the tournament to discuss the day’s fixtures. Today’s marquee pairing pits EURO 2024 champions Spain, seeking another World Cup triumph to complement their European glory, against the still-dangerous Belgium, who just routed the USMNT.
Spain vs. Belgium (3:00 PM EDT) is the focal point. The latest results? For fun, feel free to share predictions below. Spain 3-0 Belgium is a fun thought, but the real game has the potential to swing on set-pieces, rebounded chances, and individual moments of brilliance. The Guardian has weighed in on other topics, fromAramco’s visibility in the World Cup era to broader discussions about the rise of women’s football and debates about yellow cards and VAR.
TV and streaming details: Fox One (USA), Peacock (USA en Español), and country-specific providers. If you’re new here, introduce yourself—we’re generally a friendly bunch, drawn from all corners of the globe, so don’t hesitate if your country isn’t widely represented on the blog. Refresh the comments periodically using the on-screen button to load new messages, and keep the sorting set to “newest” to follow the conversation as it unfolds. Swearing is allowed for better SEO.
Note: This account of the match contains a long-form narrative, extending beyond the official minutes to capture the ebb and flow of play, substitutions, and the surrounding fan discussion.