Overview
- Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final after Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute following a spilled save by Belgian substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
- The match, played on Friday, saw Fabián give Spain the lead and Charles De Ketelaere equalize before Merino's late intervention ended Spain's wait to reach the semi-finals.
- Belgium's decision to replace starter Thibaut Courtois with Lammens for reported quadriceps problems has been widely criticized after Courtois said he could have continued and Lammens' error led directly to the winner.
- Off the field the Royal Belgian Football Association inspected Loyola Marymount University's pitch, formally asked FIFA for a new training site, and FIFA approved Belgium's move to train at the LA Galaxy facility while LMU publicly defended its turf.
- Spain now travel to face France in the semi-final in Dallas and Belgium leaves the tournament eliminated amid continuing scrutiny over its camp's preparations and earlier disciplinary controversy involving Folarin Balogun.