Spain Advances to Semifinals, Set to Face France
Spain has cemented its place as the second semifinalist in the ongoing World Cup, following France's earlier qualification. In a highly anticipated showdown, England will clash with Norway this evening, while Argentina is set to take on Switzerland later tonight. Fans can catch all matches and goals live on ZDF after the final whistle.
France's impressive performance has set the bar high, and now Spain seeks to prove its mettle as both teams prepare to face off in the semifinals. In a gripping quarterfinal against Belgium, the reigning European champions from Spain allowed their first goal of the tournament, ending a remarkable record run for goalkeeper Unai Simón, who had gone 649 minutes without conceding. The last time he was beaten was during the group stage of the Qatar 2022 World Cup by Japan's Ao Tanaka, when Spain lost 1-2.
This evening at 23:00, the spotlight will be on England's Harry Kane and Norway's Erling Haaland as they vie for the third semifinal spot, followed by the match between Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, and Switzerland at 03:00 on Sunday morning. Mikel Merino played a pivotal role in Spain's advancement, scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute of the quarterfinal against Belgium, solidifying Spain's first trip to the semifinals since their World Cup victory 16 years ago.
In a thrilling match at the Los Angeles Stadium, Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the 30th minute, but Belgium quickly equalized through Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st minute, marking the first time any team managed to breach Unai Simón's goal this tournament. Merino's late goal came after a mistake from Belgium's substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Now, Spain is set to face France in a highly anticipated clash on July 14 in Dallas, with both teams vying for a spot in the final.
Exciting Matches Await: England vs. Norway and Argentina vs. Switzerland
Tonight's quarterfinal features a thrilling battle between top strikers Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. England aims to secure its second World Cup title since 1966, but they must overcome a formidable Norwegian side. Kane has been in sensational form, netting six goals in the tournament, while Jude Bellingham has also contributed significantly with four goals for head coach Thomas Tuchel's team.
Despite their underdog status, Norway should not be underestimated. The team, featuring Haaland, who has scored seven tournament goals, has made a remarkable return to the World Cup after 28 years, showcasing their potential with a stunning 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16. As the Norwegian Vikings face off against the Selecao, the question remains: which superstar will shine the brightest?
Argentina, the defending champions, are anticipated to have a challenging match against Switzerland, who have already exceeded expectations by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since the 1954 World Cup. However, Switzerland will be without their leading scorer Johan Manzambi due to injury. The Swiss hope to capitalize on Argentina's struggles with the pressure of being favorites.
Among the eight quarterfinalists, six hail from Europe, with only Morocco and Argentina breaking through this dominance. Following Germany's early exit, significant changes are expected within the DFB, with discussions surrounding the appointment of ZDF football expert Per Mertesacker to a key position. Mertesacker expressed his growth during this challenging period, appreciating the positive feedback from football legends in the country.
Tonight promises to be an exhilarating evening of World Cup action, featuring stars like Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi. Which superstar will falter, and who will advance to the semifinals?
As reported by zdfheute.de.
