Two World Cup quarterfinal matches down, two to go.
France secured its place in the semifinal on Thursday, easing past Morocco, and the 2018 winners now know it will come up against a familiar European foe in Arlington, Texas in a few days time: Spain.
Luis de la Fuente’s side left it late to beat Belgium at a celebrity-filled SoFi Stadium, but it did thanks to another late goal from substitute Mikel Merino. The scary thing is Lamine Yamal is yet to really get going at this tournament, nor is anybody else in red. What Spain has done is remain structurally sound in defense—something other major countries have failed to do.
Belgium’s demise can in part be explained by the sudden, unfortunate injury sustained by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the second half. He could only look on in anguish as understudy Senne Lammens handed Merino and Spain victory on a plate by failing to hold Pau Cubarsí’s effort from range.
The quarterfinals wrap on Saturday with Norway vs. England in the sweltering heat of Miami (the two have not played each other in 12 years), followed by Argentina against Switzerland—the latter competing at this stage of the competition for the first time in 72 years.
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