• •Spain advanced to the semi-finals following a 2-1 win over Belgium, secured by a late goal from substitute Mikel Merino, according to reports from BBC Sport and The Guardian.
• •Lamine Yamal has publicly stated that France should be wary of Spain ahead of their upcoming Tuesday match in Arlington, Texas, per ESPN.
• •The Guardian notes Belgium struggled following an injury to Thibaut Courtois, while BBC Sport highlights that despite the win, star prospect Lamine Yamal has yet to produce a dominant individual performance.

Spain secured a semi-final spot in the FIFA World Cup after defeating Belgium 2-1, with Mikel Merino providing the decisive late goal. While ESPN and The Guardian emphasize the team's momentum and the tactical impact of Belgium’s personnel issues, BBC Sport offers a more measured outlook, noting that Spain’s progression has relied on bench contributions rather than a breakthrough performance from Lamine Yamal. This distinction highlights an underlying tension regarding Spain's reliance on clutch moments versus sustained dominance. Whether this opportunistic form will hold against a top-tier opponent like France remains the primary question for the upcoming semi-final.