Spain qualified for the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup to face France, after beating Belgium (2-1) at the top of the quarter-finals, a match that was decided by substitute Mikel Merino in the last minute of the match that took place on Friday, for the second match in a row, and proved to be one of the best substitutes in the World Cup.
The Spanish national team dominated the proceedings of the first half, making many offensive attempts, and wasting a large number of opportunities in front of the goal until the 30th minute, when Fabian Ruiz scored the first goal in the confrontation following a cross ball followed by Dani Olmo with a powerful shot that bounced off the goalkeeper, and then Fabian Ruiz followed it directly into the net, announcing a deserved progress for the "La Foria Roja" team after a strong attacking performance.
The Belgium national team was completely away from the ball, as it did not possess much and did not attack much except for the equalizer shot that occurred after a cross ball into the box, which De Catelaier followed with his head in the net, to give the Belgians great hope in this match after a very difficult start due to Spain's complete control, although Belgium has the weapons that make it capable of possession and making attacks, but the Spanish team tightened the noose on the Belgians with high pressure.
The absence of a spearhead
The Spanish national team lacked a "spearhead" that takes advantage of any opportunity it gets in the attacking third or inside the box, and this is very difficult for coach Luis de la Fuente, because all the chances created by Spain did not result in any great danger, and their exploitation by the players was negative.
Things did not change in the second half, as the Spanish team continued to dominate, possess and create offensive attempts, but without creating a great danger on goal, and it seemed clear that the Belgium team was unable to keep up with the men of coach De La Fuente, as they retreated a lot and relied only on offensive transitions, yet they did not succeed in creating any chance in this way.
The Spanish national team continued its great pressure and intensified its attacks from all sides, especially through the sides with the presence of Lamine Yamal and Kocoria, and at the 88th minute, after Mikel Merino entered as a substitute to strengthen the midfield of the Spanish national team, the latter succeeded in scoring after entering the box, and followed up a shot that was saved by the Belgium keeper, to deposit it in the net, giving the European champion in 2024 a 2-1 lead minutes before the end, and then maintained the progress until the end of the confrontation, so that Spain qualified for the semi-finals to face the strong France in a big summit Waiting.
De la Fuente: Spain First
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said: "It's not fair not to have Mikel start, but it's also unfair to exclude another player."
"You can only play 11 players, and they understand that – the role they have to play at any given moment, they know what they have to do when they get on the pitch, and that's why it's a pleasure to be their coach."
De la Fuente stressed that Spain, the European champions, reached the semi-finals based on collective responsibility, not individual brilliance, saying : "What matters is the team, it doesn't matter who starts the game, everyone matters, even those who didn't play."
La Fuente: France's Amazing Elite
"One of our strengths as a team is that we not only have the best players in the world – and they really are – but we also have the best people, people who make it easy for everyone to get along," De La Fuente said.
"So we shouldn't be surprised that they are aware of their roles, because I think it's possible in any field, in any profession. We build everything on the basis of respect, and this national team is an example of that as well."
"France has already shown extraordinary potential, amazing potential, and so are we. The game is open to all possibilities, and it will require players who are energetic, full of energy, but now that we are here, we will do our best."
Olmo: We are close to the title
Spain's Dani Olmo stressed that his team is very close to winning the World Cup, stressing the difficulty of the upcoming match against France.
Olmo said in media statements after the match: "Our main goal was to qualify for the World Cup final. It was a tough game today, but we took control of things, scored two goals, and we played a very good game, and we look forward to continuing to follow that path."
On Spain's quest to repeat its European Cup and World Cup victories, such as when the team won Euro 2008 before winning their only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa, Olmo said: "It's a great incentive to repeat what we achieved 16 years ago."
The Spanish star stressed: "We have a good group of skilled players, and we know that our goal is clear, which is to win this title. But now we have a tough semi-final against France."
Olmo explained that facing France is "difficult in light of having a group of competent players in different lines, they play very beautiful football, but we believe in ourselves, and we will do our best in front of them."
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