Spain Edge Past Belgium to Set Up a World Cup Semi-Final With France
Lamine Yamal's second-half strike sees Spain beat a stubborn Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals, setting up a blockbuster semi-final against France.
The second of the World Cup quarter-finals has come to an end. Played in a straight knockout format where there is no room for a draw, one side had to go through and the other head home, while the winner continues on the road towards the dream of lifting the most coveted prize in international football.
The tie brought together the powerful Spanish "Matadors" and a stubborn Belgium side that proved once again what an awkward opponent they are for anyone they face. Spain booked their place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 win, thanks to their dazzling young star Lamine Yamal, who scored the winner midway through the second half.
Belgium produced a fine defensive performance, and it is to their credit that they did not give up after conceding the opening goal, hitting back to level the score before the end of the first half. In the second half the Belgians kept battling with a strong, well-organised defensive block, but Yamal's brilliance and energy allowed him to break through the Belgian wall and score the decisive goal, the strike that was enough to hand Spain their ticket to the semi-finals.
With this win, Spain set up a hotly anticipated meeting with France, who had already secured their own passage earlier, in a blockbuster clash that football fans have been waiting for to discover the identity of the first team to reach the World Cup final.
