Spain and Belgium collide in the quarterfinals with impeccable streaks

Spain has not conceded goals in the World Cup; Belgium looks for its golden opportunity.

Publicado 57 minutes ago el 10 de julio a las 09:54 | 2 mins reading |63 vistas | por Miguel Torres

Undefeated duel at SoFi Stadium

Spain reaches the quarterfinals without knowing defeat or conceding a single goal in the World Cup. La Roja has 36 official matches without losing since March 2023. Belgium, for its part, extends its unbeaten streak to 18 matches in all competitions.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois recognized the rival’s moment:

“I think they are one of the favorites to win this, so obviously we don’t start as favorites. But in football anything is possible, and I think we can win, with all due respect.”

Perfect defense vs. Belgian attack

Unai Simón has established a World Cup record: 609 consecutive minutes without conceding goals and six clean sheets in a row since Qatar 2022. He has only had to make six saves in five games.

Belgium, however, has offensive talent: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere – scorer of two goals against the United States in the round of 16 – can test any defense.

Spain finds rhythm

Mikel Oyarzabal, scorer of two goals in the 3-0 win over Austria in the same stadium, noted:

“We are going further. We started without playing our best game, but the sensations have been growing. We are close to the best version of each one.”

La Roja barely beat Portugal 1-0 in added time in the round of 16, but has shown defensive solidity.

Injuries and adjustments

Belgium lost midfielder Amadou Onana to a knee injury, which could mean the return of De Bruyne, who was rested against the United States. Jérémy Doku is healthy but without rhythm. Spain reports good general health, with Nico Williams available after overcoming previous limitations.

This Friday, the current European champion faces a Belgian generation that is looking for its last big coup.

Sports

Quansah, two games suspended for red against Mexico

The English defender received a two-game suspension after the red against Mexico.

Publicado 37 minutes ago el 10 de julio a las 10:14 | 2 mins reading

Sanction confirmed for the English defender

English defender Jarrell Quansah was suspended for two games for the red card he received in the World Cup round of 16 match against Mexico. FIFA confirmed the punishment for serious foul play.

Quansah will miss the quarter-final against Norway in Miami Gardens and also the semi-finals if England advance. The defender was sent off in the second half of the English 3-2 victory, after a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo.

Forward Bukayo Saka called the decision “incredibly frustrating.” Still, he added: “We’re not here to complain, we just need to adapt and pick a team ready to beat Norway.”

The debate over FIFA punishments

The management of sanctions for red cards has been questioned after the disciplinary commission lifted the sanction against the American Folarin Balogun, following President Donald Trump’s intervention before Gianni Infantino. Infantino defended the independence of the organization and assured that the case was handled correctly.

Quansah’s punishment aggravates England’s crisis at right back. Starter Reece James has not played since the second game of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. His substitute Tino Livramento was sent home before the start of the World Cup with a calf injury.

Thomas Tuchel opted to call up central defender Trevoh Chalobah as a replacement, without looking for a right back. Quansah, who plays as a center back, has taken on the role of James’ backup in that position. Tuchel was already questioned before the tournament for leaving out Trent Alexander-Arnold, considered one of the best right backs in Europe.

Sports

Solari takes over the Pumas bench with enthusiasm

The Argentine signed for two years and will seek to lead the team to the title after the lost final.

Publicado 48 minutes ago el 10 de julio a las 10:03 | 2 mins reading

Official presentation

Esteban Solari was presented as the new technical director of Pumas. The Argentine arrives with the mission of building a competitive team. “I am very happy to be here, in this institution that is so great. I consider this to be my home and I am committed to leaving my heart to form a team that lives up to this great club,” he expressed.

Solari signed for two years. His arrival took place after he failed to reach an agreement with Pachuca. The strategist assured that he acted with institutional respect and that contact with the university board only occurred after his departure from the Tuzos.

Solid foundation

The coach highlighted the team’s spirit after the final loss against Cruz Azul. “Within the group I found a team that wants to give back the best performance to achieve the objectives. I saw leaders who want to fight for what they did not achieve last season,” he said.

The board trusts in the long-term project. Antonio Sancho, sports vice president, pointed out that Solari’s experience in football player development was key to his selection. “We didn’t start from scratch; we started from a base to continue adding and get the title that we all want,” he said.

First challenge

Next Sunday at 12:00 p.m., Pumas will host América de Cali at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, within the Pumas Fan Fest 2026. Tickets are now available for 350 pesos at the box office and TicketMaster. Solari closed with a message to the fans: “We are going to leave our heart and soul to represent them as they deserve.”

Sports

France advances to the semifinals with a double from Mbappé and Dembelé

France beats Morocco 2-0 and advances to the semifinals. Mbappé adds his eighth goal in the tournament.

Publicado 1 hour ago el 10 de julio a las 09:41 | 2 mins reading

France confirmed its candidacy for the 2026 World Cup title by beating Morocco 2-0 at Gillette Stadium in Boston. Didier Deschamps’ team advanced to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the duel between Spain and Belgium.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute with an unstoppable right hand that hit Yassine Bounou’s left post. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembelé defined the match with a low shot.

Mbappé equals records

With this goal, Mbappé reached eight goals in the 2026 World Cup, equaling Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring table. The Frenchman reached 20 goals in the history of the World Cup, one less than the Argentine. Furthermore, at 27 years and 201 days, he became the youngest player to play 20 World Cup matches, surpassing Wladislaw Zmuda.

Mbappé could have increased his tally, but Bounou saved him from a penalty in the 29th minute. The 35-year-old Al-Hilal goalkeeper dove to his left to catch the shot.

French domain

France controlled the match from the beginning. Bounou avoided an early goal by deflecting a right hand from Mbappé in the 4th minute and a header from Dayot Upamecano a minute later. Dembele also demanded the Moroccan goalkeeper with several shots. Lucas Digne hit a left-footed shot against the crossbar in added time of the first half.

In the second half, Mateta headed over the crossbar in the 88th minute, and Bounou won the duel again in the 94th minute. Morocco barely bothered Mike Maignan with a last-gasp attempt by Gessime Yassine.

Semifinals and scoring table

France will play the semifinals on Tuesday the 14th at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas against the winner of Spain vs. Belgium. The ‘Bleus’ are seeking their third title after 1998 and 2018, and are undefeated with six victories.

In the scoring table, Mbappé and Messi lead with eight goals, followed by Erling Haaland with seven. The Norwegian, a sensation in his first World Cup, will face England on Saturday.