Spain beats Belgium in thriller to set up blockbuster World Cup semifinal

INGLEWOOD, Calif.— The script almost wrote itself.Spain manager Luis de la Fuente’s decisions to leave Pedri out of the starting lineup and insert Mikel Merino as a late substitute might have raised eyebrows at the time, but they turned out to be masterstrokes of genius in the World Cup quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium on Friday.Pedri had started every match of Spain’s march through the tournament and had become one of the pillars of the midfield.

In his place came Fabián Ruiz, who had only started Spain’s opener against Cape Verde.Ruiz scored the opening goal, and Merino delivered the winner, as Spain survived a spirited Belgian challenge for a 2-1 victory before another packed crowd in Los Angeles, booking a blockbuster semifinal against France in Dallas.The sensational match also brought the curtain down on Los Angeles’ role in the tournament.Friday’s quarterfinal was the eighth and final World Cup match played at SoFi Stadium, ending a memorable month in Southern California before the tournament shifts to Dallas and Atlanta for the semifinals and concludes at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Spain had barely settled into its rhythm when its tactical gamble paid immediate dividends.Dani Olmo danced into the penalty area and forced Thibaut Courtois into a sharp save.

The rebound, however, bounced kindly to Ruiz, who calmly guided the loose ball into an open net to give Spain a deserved early advantage.The goal validated de la Fuente’s biggest decision before the halftime whistle had even arrived.But Belgium refused to blink.Ten minutes later, Timothy Castagne whipped a dangerous cross into the area where Charles De Ketelaere rose above Spain’s defense and powered a header beyond Unai Simón.The finish carried added significance.

Spain had entered the quarterfinal having not conceded a single goal during its previous five matches.De Ketelaere’s third goal of the tournament finally cracked the tournament’s stingiest defense, ending one of...