Spain Triumphs Over Belgium, Prepares for France in Semifinals

WHO:

Fox Sports - Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have cast doubt over their Belgium futures following the World Cup exit.

NPR - Mikel Merino is a versatile contributor for Spain and plays for English club Arsenal.

NPR - Belgium's captain Youri Tielemans was removed from the starting lineup due to injury during warmups.

NPR - Mikel Merino is a player for Spain and scored the winning goal.

NPR - Belgium's goalkeeper Senne Lammens played in his first World Cup match.

NPR - Belgium's starting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was injured during the match.

NPR - Spain's coach is Luis De La Fuente.

NPR - Belgium's coach is Rudi Garcia.

NPR - Belgium's captain is Youri Tielemans.

WHAT:

Fox Sports - De Bruyne won his 124th Belgium cap during the tournament.

Fox Sports - Courtois ended his tournament due to a quadriceps issue after being substituted.

NPR - Mikel Merino has scored two goals in his first World Cup, both of which are historic.

NPR - Spain has remained unbeaten in 37 straight competitive matches since March 2023.

NPR - Spain did not allow a goal in its first five matches at this year's tournament.

NPR - Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

NPR - Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.

NPR - Fabián Ruiz scored the first goal for Spain in the 30th minute.

NPR - Charles De Ketelaere scored Belgium's equalizer in the 41st minute.

NPR - Spain will face France in the semifinals.

WHERE:

NPR - The match took place in Inglewood, California.

NPR - Spain and France will meet in Arlington, Texas.

WHEN:

NPR - Spain and France are scheduled to meet on Tuesday.

WHY:

Fox Sports - De Bruyne expressed a desire to take a break from the national team, stating, "I have two or three difficult years behind me and underwent major surgery."

Fox Sports - Courtois mentioned, "It would be good to take a year-long break from the Nations League so I can find some rest."

NPR - Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia stated that to beat a team of Spain's caliber, "you need luck on your side as well."

NPR - Spain's victory sent them to the semifinals for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2010.

NPR - Belgium's streak of 18 consecutive unbeaten matches across all competitions ended with this loss.

HOW:

Fox Sports - Courtois plans to discuss his future with the national coach and the Belgian FA, stating, "If they see it differently than I do, then I will have to consider whether I can remain a Red Devil."

NPR - Mikel Merino scored after Belgium's goalkeeper Lammens lost control of a long shot from Pau Cubarsí.

NPR - Mikel Merino scored after Belgium's goalkeeper Lammens lost control of a long shot from Pau Cubarsí.

NPR - Merino came on as a substitute in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch of the match.

Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have raised questions about their futures with the Belgian national team following their exit from the World Cup. De Bruyne, who earned his 124th cap during the tournament, expressed a need for a break, citing the challenges he has faced in recent years, while Courtois, who had to leave the tournament due to a quadriceps injury, suggested he might benefit from a year-long hiatus from the Nations League. Courtois plans to have discussions with the national coach and the Belgian FA, indicating that if their views differ from his, he will need to reconsider his commitment to the team.