The action begins at Los Angeles Stadium for the second quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium.
After Michael Oliver blows up and the players head off for halftime with a 1-1 draw.
Belgium broke Spain’s 609-minute clean sheet streak* with Charles De Ketelaere heading in from a Timothy Castagne cross in the 41st minute. That was the first goal conceded as Spain got an equalizing by Fabian Ruiz, slamming home the rebound after Courtois parried Olmo’s low shot from Porro’s cut-back from the right of the box in 30 minutes of the game.
The second half began 5 mins into the 2nd half. The score was still 1-1after De Ketelaere’s 41st minute header broke Spain’s 609-minute clean sheet.
No goals, no subs yet for either side in the 2nd half until 62 minutes when
Triple change for Belgium
Off: Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken, Maxim De Cuyper
On: Axel Witsel, Romelu Lukaku , Joaquin Says
At 65 minutes, Spain won the stats.
Spain has completed over 400 passes so far, compared to just 189 for Belgium.
It doesn’t feel like La Roja are in total control, though, despite what the stats might suggest.
At 80 minutes, La Rio made another change as Mikel Oyarzabal was withdrawn for Nico Williams.
The truth is that Spain keep playing almost entirely in Belgium’s half like us.
The game was still a 1-1 draw till 87 minutes when the Napoli midfielder was yellow-carded for dragging Torres down.
That’s his last act as he heads off to be replaced by Alexis Saelemaekers.
Spain also makes a change with Olmo heading off for Mikel Merino.
In the 88th minute, Spain did it again! Mikel Merino comes off the bench to thump home the rebound after after Lammens spills a low shot from Cubarsi with moments remaining, their normal late goal for Spain again in this game.
The whistle is sound. Spain reached the World Cup semifinals and will face France in Dallas while
Belgium are heading home.
Which is another winner off the bench for Mikel Merino as the Arsenal man repeats his heroics from the last round to score a late winner for La Roja.
Tactical Breakdown
Spain — Control + Patience*
Possession*: 62% to 38%
Shots: 10 total, 3 on target vs Belgium, 2 total
Style:La Rio built their run on defensive discipline. 5 clean sheets in 5 games coming in. Luis de la Fuente kept the same core, using the bench to win late like Mikel Merino did vs Portugal.
Lineup surprise:Fabian Ruiz started over Pedro. Front 3: Yamal, Olmo, Oyarzabal.
Key battle:Lamine Yamal vs Maxime De Cuyper. De Cuyper was flagged as likely to commit 2+ fouls trying to stop Yama.
Belgium — Direct + Counter*
Style : Much more dramatic route. Beat USA 4-1 in R16, came back from 2-0 down vs Senegal. Scored 13 goals in 5 games but conceded 5.
Lineup : Courtois in goal. Back 4: Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper. Mid 3: De Bryne, Vanaken, Raskin. Front 3: Trossard, Doku, De Ketelaere. Note: Tie lemans was scratched in warm-ups.
Threat : Belgium is dangerous in transition. De Ketelaere has 3 goals in the last 2 games. Lukaku also scored off the bench vs USA.
What’s deciding the game so far?
1. Possession : Spain dominating the ball but Belgium sitting deep and waiting. One good cross broke Spain down.
2. Wide areas : Both teams like working the ball in from wide.
3. Defensive test : Belgium’s back 4 have leaked goals vs NZ, USA, Senegal. Spain’s defense had been a brick wall until today.
Spain also has history: it has won 7 of the last 8 meetings dating to 1990.
Bottom line
Spain wants to suffocate you with possession and not concede. Belgium wants to sit, absorb, and hit you with De Bruyne, Doku, De Ketelaere on the break.