Belgium reeling under the storm of Spanish attacks; Yamal and his team advance to the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory

Photo Courtesy X Fifa

Xtratime Web Desk

Spain stormed into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a commanding 2-1 victory over Belgium, producing a performance that showcased exactly why they are considered one of the tournament's strongest teams. For 90 minutes, Spain played with relentless intensity—running, pressing, and moving the ball with remarkable precision. Belgium simply had no answer to their fluid passing game. The only criticism of Spain's display was that, despite creating wave after wave of attacks, they lacked the decisive final pass on several occasions. Had they been more clinical in the final third, the contest could have been settled much earlier. Credit must also go to Belgium's defence for resisting the pressure for as long as they did.

From the opening whistle, Spain pinned Belgium deep inside their own half with coordinated attacks involving seven or eight players at a time. Full-backs Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro constantly surged forward to support the wingers, while Rodri and Fabián Ruiz controlled midfield and broke up Belgium's attempts to counter. Dani Olmo orchestrated Spain's attacking moves, linking play with crisp, short passes that repeatedly stretched the Belgian defence. In the first half, Belgium struggled in particular to contain the lively Lamine Yamal, whose pace and creativity caused constant problems.

Spain's opening goal came from one such move. Yamal burst down the right flank before cutting the ball back from the byline. Olmo's first effort was brilliantly saved by Thibaut Courtois, but Fabián Ruiz reacted quickest to the rebound, firing it into the net to give Spain a deserved lead.

Belgium gradually recovered after conceding and found an equaliser within ten minutes through a swift counterattack. Charles De Ketelaere rose highest to score with a powerful header, ending Spain's run of six consecutive matches without conceding a goal.

The second half brought a heartbreaking moment for Belgium as Courtois was forced off with an injury. Clearly emotional, the legendary goalkeeper left the field in tears, perhaps aware that this could be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.

Spain continued to dominate after the break, maintaining the same attacking intensity. Their winning goal arrived in the closing moments of the match. Pau Cubarsí struck a long-range effort that was not particularly threatening, but substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens—who had replaced the injured Courtois—failed to hold onto the shot. Mikel Merino was perfectly positioned to pounce on the loose ball and score the decisive goal that sent Spain into the semi-finals.

Watching helplessly from the sidelines, Courtois could only see Lammens' costly mistake end Belgium's World Cup hopes. It inevitably raised the question: had Courtois still been on the pitch, would that goal have been conceded?

Although Olmo and Yamal were not quite as influential in the second half as they had been before the break, Spain remained the better side throughout. For Belgium, Jérémy Doku was one of the few bright spots. His pace, dribbling ability, and determination repeatedly troubled the Spanish defence, but it was simply not Belgium's day.

Spain now advance to a mouth-watering World Cup semi-final against France. With two of the world's finest teams set to meet, predicting the outcome is virtually impossible.