by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Ruiz (30'), Merino (88') | De Ketelaere (41')
Mikel Merino and Spain patiently found a way again through another late goal, to knock out Belgium and send themselves through to a mouthwatering semi-final match against France on July 14.
It looked for all intents and purposes like Belgium had done enough to take the game to extra time. But Merino’s cameo from the bench was like watching the Portugal - Spain match on repeat as he repeated his heroics of scoring at the death.
On the flip side, it was an unfortunate cameo for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was brought on to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. He spilled a 25 yard shot into the path of Merino to smash home from close range. A late horror show from the Belgian keeper.
It was a game characterised largely by Spanish patience in possession and Belgian grit, as Fabian Ruiz gave the Spanish the lead in the 30th minute after Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal’s interplay led to a cross for Olmo. His effort was saved, but there for the rebound was Ruiz to hammer a strike through a defender’s legs.
Spain dominated the early possession and the goal was justified, but Belgium found a way back into the game with a superb header from De Ketelaere who got ahead of his man and connected beautifully to divert the ball past Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.
After shouts for a handball by Spain in the box were turned down from the referee, it looked like one of the better opportunities for Belgium to win against a Spanish side that barely concedes was starting to fade.
That feeling was only compounded when Courtois suffered what looked to be an agonising injury in the 71st minute, demanding the high stakes substitution of Lammens to win only his third cap.
Unfortunately the one mistake he has made at this level came at the moment the spotlight was most firmly fixed on him, with such moments particularly harshly judging those operating between the sticks.
It was a relatively quiet performance for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal again, although he was actively involved in the build up for the first goal and he’ll be looking forward to the mouthwatering prospect of tackling favourites France in the semi-final.
5 min read
Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Ruiz (30'), Merino (88') | De Ketelaere (41')
Mikel Merino and Spain patiently found a way again through another late goal, to knock out Belgium and send themselves through to a mouthwatering semi-final match against France on July 14.
It looked for all intents and purposes like Belgium had done enough to take the game to extra time. But Merino’s cameo from the bench was like watching the Portugal - Spain match on repeat as he repeated his heroics of scoring at the death.
On the flip side, it was an unfortunate cameo for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was brought on to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. He spilled a 25 yard shot into the path of Merino to smash home from close range. A late horror show from the Belgian keeper.
It was a game characterised largely by Spanish patience in possession and Belgian grit, as Fabian Ruiz gave the Spanish the lead in the 30th minute after Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal’s interplay led to a cross for Olmo. His effort was saved, but there for the rebound was Ruiz to hammer a strike through a defender’s legs.
Spain dominated the early possession and the goal was justified, but Belgium found a way back into the game with a superb header from De Ketelaere who got ahead of his man and connected beautifully to divert the ball past Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.
After shouts for a handball by Spain in the box were turned down from the referee, it looked like one of the better opportunities for Belgium to win against a Spanish side that barely concedes was starting to fade.
That feeling was only compounded when Courtois suffered what looked to be an agonising injury in the 71st minute, demanding the high stakes substitution of Lammens to win only his third cap.
Unfortunately the one mistake he has made at this level came at the moment the spotlight was most firmly fixed on him, with such moments particularly harshly judging those operating between the sticks.
It was a relatively quiet performance for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal again, although he was actively involved in the build up for the first goal and he’ll be looking forward to the mouthwatering prospect of tackling favourites France in the semi-final.
Quarter Final: Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Meri-no way of stopping him?
Original article:
Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Ruiz (30'), Merino (88') | De Ketelaere (41')
Mikel Merino and Spain patiently found a way again through another late goal, to knock out Belgium and send themselves through to a mouthwatering semi-final match against France on July 14.
It looked for all intents and purposes like Belgium had done enough to take the game to extra time. But Merino’s cameo from the bench was like watching the Portugal - Spain match on repeat as he repeated his heroics of scoring at the death.
On the flip side, it was an unfortunate cameo for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was brought on to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. He spilled a 25 yard shot into the path of Merino to smash home from close range. A late horror show from the Belgian keeper.
It was a game characterised largely by Spanish patience in possession and Belgian grit, as Fabian Ruiz gave the Spanish the lead in the 30th minute after Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal’s interplay led to a cross for Olmo. His effort was saved, but there for the rebound was Ruiz to hammer a strike through a defender’s legs.
Spain dominated the early possession and the goal was justified, but Belgium found a way back into the game with a superb header from De Ketelaere who got ahead of his man and connected beautifully to divert the ball past Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.
After shouts for a handball by Spain in the box were turned down from the referee, it looked like one of the better opportunities for Belgium to win against a Spanish side that barely concedes was starting to fade.
That feeling was only compounded when Courtois suffered what looked to be an agonising injury in the 71st minute, demanding the high stakes substitution of Lammens to win only his third cap.
Unfortunately the one mistake he has made at this level came at the moment the spotlight was most firmly fixed on him, with such moments particularly harshly judging those operating between the sticks.
It was a relatively quiet performance for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal again, although he was actively involved in the build up for the first goal and he’ll be looking forward to the mouthwatering prospect of tackling favourites France in the semi-final.
5 min read
Quarter Final: Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Meri-no way of stopping him?
Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
Ruiz (30'), Merino (88') | De Ketelaere (41')
Mikel Merino and Spain patiently found a way again through another late goal, to knock out Belgium and send themselves through to a mouthwatering semi-final match against France on July 14.
It looked for all intents and purposes like Belgium had done enough to take the game to extra time. But Merino’s cameo from the bench was like watching the Portugal - Spain match on repeat as he repeated his heroics of scoring at the death.
On the flip side, it was an unfortunate cameo for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was brought on to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. He spilled a 25 yard shot into the path of Merino to smash home from close range. A late horror show from the Belgian keeper.
It was a game characterised largely by Spanish patience in possession and Belgian grit, as Fabian Ruiz gave the Spanish the lead in the 30th minute after Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal’s interplay led to a cross for Olmo. His effort was saved, but there for the rebound was Ruiz to hammer a strike through a defender’s legs.
Spain dominated the early possession and the goal was justified, but Belgium found a way back into the game with a superb header from De Ketelaere who got ahead of his man and connected beautifully to divert the ball past Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.
After shouts for a handball by Spain in the box were turned down from the referee, it looked like one of the better opportunities for Belgium to win against a Spanish side that barely concedes was starting to fade.
That feeling was only compounded when Courtois suffered what looked to be an agonising injury in the 71st minute, demanding the high stakes substitution of Lammens to win only his third cap.
Unfortunately the one mistake he has made at this level came at the moment the spotlight was most firmly fixed on him, with such moments particularly harshly judging those operating between the sticks.
It was a relatively quiet performance for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal again, although he was actively involved in the build up for the first goal and he’ll be looking forward to the mouthwatering prospect of tackling favourites France in the semi-final.
5 min read