​Spain edged Belgium 2-1 on Friday to reach a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against France after a frantic contest decided by a goalkeeping error from Senne Lammens. Belgium, who had been the underdogs, battled back from going behind to Fabian Ruiz’s strike on the half-hour at the boiling SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with Charles De Ketelaere leveling on 41 minutes. That goal marked the first Spain had conceded in this tournament.
As the tense quarter-final threatened to drift into extra time, Pau Cubarsi drove a shot from 25 yards that Manchester United’s Lammens could not hold, and Mikel Merino was perfectly positioned to poke in the rebound. It proved a heartbreaking moment for Lammens, yet Merino—who had also delivered the decisive blow against Portugal in the last 16—turned to celebrate with the sea of Spanish fans in attendance. Lammens had only started because first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois aggravated an injury in the second half. After the final whistle, the towering Courtois went over to console him.
Spain had needed a touch of fortune after Belgium’s stout rearguard stifled Lamine Yamal, making the game far closer than many pundits had anticipated. France, who had beaten Morocco 2-0 on Thursday, will have taken note of how rattled Spain’s defense appeared at times as they prepare to meet the Spaniards in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
A Red-Letter Saturday awaited as the remaining two quarter-finals took center stage in a day of World Cup action. Norway faced England in Miami, with Stale Solbakken insisting the clash between Erling Haaland and Harry Kane could be decisive. Haaland had already netted seven times in his first four major-tournament appearances, driving Norway to the quarter-finals for the first time since returning to the World Cup after a 28-year absence. Kane, just one goal behind Haaland in the tournament tally, had taken his World Cup tally to 14 as England advanced to a third successive quarter-final. “I think it’s Norway versus England, but it’s no secret that Kane is England’s main goal threat while Haaland is ours,” Solbakken said at his pre-match briefing.
England’s progress toward a semi-final place hit a snag as center-back Marc Guehi faced a hamstring doubt. He will be assessed on Friday, though with Jarell Quansah suspended for the quarter-final after his red card against Mexico in the previous round, Gareth Southgate found himself juggling defensive options as he plotted how to curb Haaland’s influence.
Meanwhile, the day’s other fixture featured France dismantling a supposedly quick Morocco side, a performance that suggested Didier Deschamps’ team were in a different class on the night. As preparations for the next stage continue, France’s squad will be confident of taking on Spain in Texas, and the looming clash promises to be one of the tournament’s most compelling matches.