LOS ANGELES, Calif– It is a sunny day for the Spanish at SoFi Stadium as they head to the Semil-Finals to face France after they beat Belgium 2-1 with yet another last minute goal by Merino followed by the roar of more than 70,000 fans.
Spain started the attack early in the third minute with an attempt from the left side of the field marking the tone of the game to be in favor of the Spain team that is mostly made up of La Liga players.
Coming from a dominant performance against the United States, The Red Devils had all the confidence in the world that they would have a fierce start against Spain who may have been low scoring but they may have disregarded that Spain has yet to concede goals in this tournament. From the initial whistle, Spain stunned Belgium with great offensive force.
At the 30 minute mark, Spain’s efforts would pay off when a play started by Lamine Yamal in the right side of the field and passed to Pedro Porro who brought the ball all the way up the final third and made a low cross to Dani Olmo, who made an initial strike inside the box but the attempt was blocked by Belgium’s Courtois. The save was later deemed useless after Spain’s Fabian Ruiz was in the right spot at the right time and got one in for Spain making it 1-0 Spain lead.
This would be the Midfielder’s first goal of this tournament, giving him hope to be a champion of Europe and the World.
This glory would be short lived as Belgium would counter the goal with one for themselves as Belgium’s Timothy Castagne crossed the ball into the center of the area then Charles De Ketelaere finding the back of the net for the third time this tournament, beating Spain’s defense and equalizing the match and 1-1 with halftime not so far away at 41’.
As everyone knows, the score shows us the result but the stats tell us the story. By halftime, Spain recorded 62% possession of the ball and a total of nine shots(3 on target). Belgium on the other hand, only recorded 2 shots but it was all they needed to keep up with the Spaniards. This is also the first time Spain has conceded a goal in this year’s tournament.
Attacking wise, Spain looked their usual self in the second half with more than 70% possession by the 60th minute while adding two more shots to their tally.
Spain showed heart with their plays but Belgium read them like a book. Most attacking plays were either stopped by The Red Devils or were just not completed. Possession was there but the conversions were not.
The struggle was present until the 89th minute. At the final stretch of the game, Cubarsi took a shot from outside the box which was blocked by Belgium’s subbed in keeper Senne Lammens but the deflection proved to be venomous as Spain’s Mikel Merino was right in the box to get the game defining goal. 2-1 Spain taking the match.
They will now face France in the semi-final.
Article By Henry Caceres
Photos By Bruno De Witt Zanotto
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