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Spain became the second semifinalist of the on Friday, defeating Belgium 2-1 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, thus setting up a high-stakes match against France for a spot in the grand final of the tournament. Meanwhile, this Saturday we will find out the other semifinalists from the matches England-Norway and Argentina-Switzerland.
The team led by Luis de la Fuente secured the match with two goals from their midfielders. Fabián Ruiz, who took the place of Pedri —absent due to injury— in the starting lineup, opened the scoring in the 30th minute.
Belgium equalized before halftime thanks to Charles De Ketelaere, the same player who had scored twice in the Belgian victory of 4-1 against the United States in the round of 16.
The tie lasted until the 88th minute, when Mikel Merino once again appeared at the most crucial moment to score the definitive 2-1 after a previous shot from Pau Cubarsí.
It was not the first time Merino had saved La Roja at the last moment: the Arsenal midfielder had already scored the last-gasp goal in the 90+1 minute that eliminated Portugal in the round of 16, and he had previously done the same in Euro 2024 with a goal in extra time against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Lamine Yamal was the most influential player for the Spanish team, although the young forward was unable to score against a Belgium that put up a fight but couldn't halt the momentum of the reigning European champions in the semifinals.
Spain reaches this stage as the champion of Euro 2024, a title it secured with a perfect record of seven victories, having eliminated France in the semifinals.
The overall history between both teams in 37 official matches favors Spain with 17 victories compared to 13 for France and seven draws, although the only World Cup encounter between the two was won by France: a 3-1 victory in the Round of 16 of the 2006 World Cup in Hannover.
France, the first semifinalist of the tournament, reached this stage after defeating Morocco 2-0 on Thursday, July 9, at Gillette Stadium in Boston, with goals from Mbappé and Dembélé in the quarterfinals.
Mbappé also leads the scoring chart of the 2026 World Cup, tied with Messi, adding another individual incentive to a matchup that already features two of the top favorites for the title.
The match between France and Spain is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 3:00 PM Cuba time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will determine the first finalist of the World Cup.
This Saturday, the semifinals will be finalized with the last two quarterfinal matches. In the first match, Norway and England will face off in Miami, featuring the presence of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, two of the tournament's top scorers.
The Vikings arrive boosted by Brazil's historic elimination, while the Three Lions will seek to confirm their status as contenders after overcoming Mexico.
Later, Argentina will face Switzerland for the final spot among the top four. The Albiceleste will try to put behind the difficulties displayed against Cape Verde and Egypt, supported by Lionel Messi, who shares the top of the scoring table with Mbappé.
On the other side, the Swiss team, which eliminated Colombia in a penalty shootout, will aim to create another upset and reach the semifinals of a World Cup for the first time.
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