España 2:1 Bélgica — Informe del Partido

Gary RedknappFootball AnalystINFORME DEL PARTIDO

Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute winner sent Spain into the World Cup semi-finals as they edged past Belgium 2-1 in a quarterfinal that was far closer than the final scoreline suggests. Fabián Ruiz had opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, only for Charles De Ketelaere to level from Timothy Castagne’s cross four minutes before the break, and Pau Cubarsi’s yellow card on 43 minutes summed up Spain’s growing frustration.

The turning point came when Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel both went into the book in the closing stages, the latter on 90 minutes alongside Aymeric Laporte, as Spain’s relentless pressure finally told through Merino’s late intervention. Belgium had held firm after De Ketelaere’s equaliser, but the introduction of fresh legs and Spain’s increasing dominance of the ball proved decisive in the final ten minutes.

Spain utterly dominated the numbers with 68% possession, 17 shots to Belgium’s five, an xG of 2.08 against 0.37, and five corners to one — they outplayed their opponents without ever making it comfortable on the scoreboard. Thibaut Courtois was the standout player for Belgium, earning a 7.8 rating as goalkeeper. CheckLive's model rated Spain marginally ahead, and the result confirmed that prediction, with live signals correctly backing Spain at 1.16.

Preguntas y Respuestas

What was the final score of Spain vs Belgium?

Spain 2-1 Belgium (World Cup, Quarterfinals).

Who scored?

Fabián Ruiz (30') for Spain; Charles De Ketelaere (41', assist Timothy Castagne) for Belgium; Mikel Merino (88') for Spain.

Was Spain's win deserved?

Yes — Spain were on top for most of the match.

Were there any cards in Spain vs Belgium?

Yellow cards: Pau Cubarsí (Spain); Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium); Axel Witsel (Belgium); Aymeric Laporte (Spain).

Primer tiempo1 - 1

Segundo tiempo1 - 0

Enfrentamientos directos España - Bélgica

Partidos1
Mayor empate0
El partido más efectivo2-1

España

Bélgica

1
Victorias
0
Empates
0
Victorias

etiqueta	primer equipo	segundo equipo
Victorias	1	0
Goles marcados	2	1
Media por partido	2	1
Mayor victoria	2-1	0

Spain

Belgium

España - Bélgica Mejores picks estadísticos

Ambos equipos marcaron en 4 de los últimos 5 partidos
12 no ha perdido en 15 de los últimos partidos
La forma reciente favorece a 2 para ganar
España abrió el marcador en 6 de los últimos 7 partidos
Los córners en los últimos 10 partidos favorecen a Más 9.5
Los córners en los últimos 10 partidos favorecen a Menos 9.5
Las tarjetas en los últimos 10 partidos favorecen a Menos 3.5