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In the city of stars, and just a few kilometers from Hollywood, Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 this Friday in a cinematic quarterfinal and qualified for the 2026 World Cup semifinals, where the indomitable France awaits.
The reigning European champion satisfied its hunger for glory: since its only World Cup title, won in 2010, it had not reached the semifinals, a stage it had previously only played in Brazil 1950 and South Africa.
Luis de la Fuente's team has at least managed to silence critics after a shaky start in North America, and they have done so with more suffering than expected.
The heart-pounding sensation, however, may multiply in their next stop.
After dispatching the Belgians, who were playing their first quarterfinals since Russia 2018, when they finished third, Spain will play a match that could have perfectly been the final of the first 48-team World Cup: against Kylian Mbappé's all-powerful France.
Fabián Ruiz made 'La Roja' dream half an hour into the game at the stunning SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, by slotting home a rebound left by Thibaut Courtois following a shot from Dani Olmo.
Under the gigantic digital screens of the Californian venue, Charles De Ketelaere kept his scoring streak alive and with a header shortly after (41') deactivated the Iberian run toward their first semifinal in 16 years.
[Publicidad]