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Fri, Jul 10, 2026

Spain strike late to book WC semifinal with France...

In a thrilling conclusion to the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup, Spain edged Belgium 2-1, securing their spot in the semifinals alongside a familiar foe, France. The match was a closely contested affair for much of the 90 minutes, with both teams creating scoring opportunities but ultimately struggling to find the back of the net.

It wasn't until the 88th minute that Spain finally broke the deadlock, and the goal came courtesy of a veteran player who has been a stalwart for the national team throughout the tournament. The goal was scored by none other than Álvaro Morata, who has been in impressive form for his club and country in recent months. Morata's clinical finish from a tight angle proved to be the decisive moment in the match, as Spain's players celebrated wildly in relief.

Despite Belgium's efforts to mount a comeback, Spain's defense held firm, and the Red Devils were ultimately unable to find a second goal. The victory marked a significant milestone for Spain, who will now face off against France in the semifinals. The two teams have a long and complex history, with their most recent meeting being a tense and closely contested affair at the 2018 World Cup.

As Spain prepare to face their French counterparts, they will be buoyed by the knowledge that they have secured a hard-fought victory against a talented Belgian team. The semifinal showdown promises to be a highly anticipated and closely watched match, with both teams eager to claim a spot in the World Cup final.