By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
…Sets up Semifinal Against France on July 14 in Arlington.
La Roja of Spain on Friday booted out challengers, the Red Devils of Belgium 2-1 in a quarterfinal duel at the Los Angeles Stadium in a match handled by British celebrated Ref Michael Oliver.
Spain broke the ice through Fabian Ruiz in a solo effort at the 30th minute. Timothy Castagne crossed the ball into the box for Charles De Ketelaere to head home the equalizer at the 41st minute before both teams went into the locker room for a break.
Both sides played tactical games trying to use the bench as Belgium brought in Romelu Lukaku for Han Vanekan, Axel Witsel for Leandro Trossard and Jocquin Seys for Maxim in 60th minute.
Kevin fouled on Ferran Torres and the resultant kick got Mikel Merino who scored the winner in the 88th minute.
La Roja oppressed the Red Devils statistically making 18-5 shots at goal of which 8-2 were on target; dominated the game without giving breathing space to the Devil in the 68-32% ball possessions stringing a lamentations of 663 (almost the 666 Biblical mark of the Devil) to 285; with 13-18 foul calls from Ref Michael Oliver that saw 2-2 yellow cards and 5-1 corner kicks advantage.
Both sides have been regular customers in the round leather game playing 22 matches of which Spain won 12 times, Belgium won 5 times and there were 5 drawn games.
Both sides met at the same quarterfinals stage in 1986 which Belgium won via penalty shootouts 5-4 after 1-1 AET; Spain won their group stage meeting on 21st June 1990 by 2-1 making the encounter of today a 1990 repeat performance; their last meeting of September 2016 saw Spain victorious 2-0 but the most humiliating moment for Belgium was at the UEFA world cup qualifiers of 5th September 2009 when Spain spew them out 5-0.
La Roja sets up a royal battle against Les Bleues of France in the 1st Semifinal at Arlington on July 14.
Spain ranked 2nd in the world is in 17th appearances at the mundial which she won in 2010 in South Africa while Belgium ranked 9th in the world is in her 15th appearances with a 2018 Bronze medal as best effort.
Norway Vikins (Warriors) will fight with the Three Lions of England in the 3rd quarterfinals tomorrow Saturday at 10.00pm, while Argentina will square up against Switzerland on Sunday morning at 2.00am.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #EUFA
#RFEF #RBFA ##NFF
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