Spain vs Belgium

Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since their title-winning run in 2010, beating Belgium 2-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in a tense, dramatic quarter-final settled by a moment of goalkeeper misfortune. Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the first half with a composed finish, before Charles De Ketelaere — Belgium's outstanding performer of the entire tournament — struck in the 41st minute to level. It was the first goal Spain had conceded at this entire World Cup, ending an extraordinary run of defensive dominance. Belgium, however, were dealt a devastating blow early in the second half when Thibaut Courtois — one of the world's best goalkeepers — went down clutching his left thigh and was forced off, replaced by backup Senne Lammens. For 45 minutes, Lammens held firm against sustained Spanish pressure, including a string of threats from Lamine Yamal, who was later named Player of the Match with six shots and four successful dribbles. Then came the decisive moment. Pau Cubarsí unleashed a long-range shot that Lammens blocked, but the substitute goalkeeper spilled the rebound directly into the path of Mikel Merino — who had come off the bench just 117 seconds earlier. Merino, who had also scored the stoppage-time winner against Portugal in the Round of 16, made no mistake, poking home from close range to send Spain through. Belgium's Golden Generation — Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Courtois — bow out in the last eight, ending one of football's great generational stories without a major tournament title, though De Ketelaere's performances this summer have established the 23-year-old as one of the world's elite. Spain now face France in an all-time blockbuster semi-final in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday July 13 — potentially the match of the tournament.