Spain edged past a resilient Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles to secure its spot in the last 8. La Roja dominated much of the contest and finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.

Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain, before Charles De Ketelaere grabbed one back for Belgium against the run of play before halftime.

Welcoming Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku back to the starting XI, Belgium were rocked by a hamstring injury during the warm-ups to captain Youri Tielemans that hit them hard.

Having already lost Amadou Onana to a ruptured ACL, the Red Devils would have to play a near second-choice midfield against the Spanish possession masters.

Ruiz, brought in for Pedri, wasted no time combining with Rodri to dominate the ball and Barcelona‘s teen sensation Lamine Yamal curled an early shot just wide of the far post.

But opposing winger Doku was bright for Belgium, cutting in from the left to feed De Ketelaere, the striker fresh from his brace against the United States on Monday.

Still, it was Spain who struck first. On the half-hour mark, Pedro Porro played a sharp one-two with Lamine Yamal before expertly cutting it back from near the byline to Dani Olmo.

Olmo’s shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois, but fell to Ruiz, who fired it home.

Watch moreWorld Cup 2026: Spain or Belgium, which team do French fans prefer to face in the semi-finals?

Suddenly it was all Spain. They pinged passes around the Belgian half as though this World Cup quarter-final was a training exercise, laid on for an A-list crowd featuring Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Noel Gallagher.

But Belgium, having fought back astonishingly late from 2-0 down in the round-of-32 to dispatch Senegal, did not panic.

They grabbed one back in the 41st minute. De Bruyne slid a through ball wide to Timothy Castagne. His cross found De Ketelaere, who perfectly timed his run and outmuscled Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi to head home.

It was the first goal Spain had conceded this World Cup.

Improbably, Belgium almost grabbed another before half-time. Breaking from a Spain corner, De Ketelaere’s pass to a totally clear Doku was barely intercepted by Olmo.

Courtois’s tearful injury

Yamal grew into the game after the break, nearly finding Mikel Oyarzabal with an incisive cross that was well blocked by a charging Courtois.

Belgian coach Rudi Garcia brought on veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who had scored from the bench in three straight games.

The game opened up. A Belgian cross hit Rodri’s arm but the impact was deemed accidental. Oyarzabal had a shot saved from a close, tight angle.

A tearful Courtois was forced off by injury after 70 minutes. He was replaced by Lammens, the 24-year-old Manchester United ‘keeper making his World Cup debut in daunting circumstances.

It turned out to be a nightmare.

Watch moreFrance into World Cup semi-finals : ‘When it gets a bit difficult, they can hang in there’

In the 88th minute, Cubarsi shot low from range, and Lammens should have held onto the ball. Instead substitute Mikel Merino was first to the rebound, smashing it home.

It was the Arsenal midfielder’s second straight late winner from the bench, after he scored the crucial goal against Portugal in stoppage time on Monday.

Late on Alexis Saelemaekers rounded Unai, but was unable to find Lukaku in front of an open goal.

As the whistle blow, Courtois came out to embrace a distraught Lammens, while other members of Belgium’s ageing “Golden Generation” stood immobile and disbelieving.

For Spain there were embraces and fist pumps, before attention quickly turns to their blockbuster clash with France.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Massive news from the Spain camp as star midfielder Pedri has been benched by manager Luis de la Fuente for the quarter-final clash. PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz comes into the starting XI and will partner Rodri and Dani Olmo in the heart of Spain’s midfield.

Notably, Spain are yet to concede a goal at this World Cup.

Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Cucurella, Cubarsi, Laporte, Pedro Porro, Ruiz, Rodri, Baena, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal

OFICIAL | Nuestro once ante Bélgica.#VamosEspana | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/XgspP4mfVq

Advertisement

— Seleccion Espanola Masculina de Futbol (@SEFutbol) July 10, 2026

Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday to move into a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against France after a hectic game decided by a goalkeeping error from Senne Lammens. The unfancied Belgians had fought back from going a goal down to Fabian Ruiz’s strike on the half-hour mark at a boiling SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with Charles De Ketelaere bringing them level on 41 minutes. It was the first goal that Spain have conceded at this tournament.

As an increasingly tense quarter-final seemed to be heading for extra time, Pau Cubarsi unleashed a shot from 25 yards out that Manchester United ‘stopper Lammens couldn’t keep hold of.

Mikel Merino was perfectly positioned to poke in the rebound in the 88th minute.

It was a heartbreaking moment for Lammens but Merino, who had also delivered the killer blow to Portugal in the last 16, turned to the massed ranks of Spanish fans in the 70,492 crowd and celebrated.

“It seems like a coincidence, and if you go in prepared, it can happen again. I’m thrilled. I doubt it will happen again, we’ll see,” Merino said of his second winning goal in a row, which came just two minutes after he came on in the 86th minute.

Merino said Spain would relish facing France in the semi-final.

“We came here for this and we’re confident in our abilities. It is one of those games you dream of as a kid,” he added.

Lammens was only on the pitch because first-choice ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois injured himself in the second half. The giant Courtois went to Lammens to console him at the final whistle.

Spain had needed that touch of fortune after being denied by the Belgian defence.

Lamine Yamal twisted and turned down the Belgian right side and gradually had a growing influence after an underwhelming tournament so far — he was named the player of the match for his efforts.

France, who comfortably beat Morocco 2-0 on Thursday to move into the last four, will have taken note of how rattled the Spanish defence seemed at times as they contemplate their meeting with Spain in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.

– Red-letter Saturday –

On Saturday, the remaining two quarter-finals will take place on a huge day of World Cup action.

Norway face England in Miami, and Norway coach Stale Solbakken said the showdown between strikers Erling Haaland and Harry Kane will go a long way to deciding the outcome.

Haaland has struck seven times in his first four appearances at a major tournament to fire Norway to the last eight for the first time on their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.

Kane is just one goal behind the Manchester City striker for the tournament after taking his World Cup tally to 14 as he has helped England reach a third consecutive quarter-final.

“I think it’s Norway versus England, but I don’t think it is a secret that Kane is the match winner number one for England and Haaland is the match winner number one for us,” Solbakken said at his pre-match press conference.

England’s bid to return to the semi-finals after a last-eight exit four years ago hit another bump as centre-half Marc Guehi is now a doubt because of a hamstring strain.

Guehi will be assessed Friday, but with Jarell Quansah suspended for the quarter-final clash after being sent off against Mexico in the previous round, coach Thomas Tuchel finds himself with unwanted defensive headaches as he plots how to stop the marauding Haaland.

On Thursday, France made a good Morocco team look decidedly average in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of this World Cup and 20th World Cup goal overall before Ousmane Dembele completed the job.

France captain Mbappe was substituted and applied an ice pack to his foot but was quick to reassure fans that it was nothing serious.

bur/gj/bb

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

UK & Norway PM Sport Football Jerseys Ahead Of England, Norway Quarterfinal Clash

Need to know

England are set to face Norway in a World Cup quarter-final but there are concerns over the weather conditions

Everything you need to know about England vs Norway kick-off time

1. Kick-off time: The eagerly awaited World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway is officially set to commence at precisely 10pm UK time on Saturday, July 11. For supporters watching the fixture locally, this equates to a 5pm Eastern Time start on America’s East Coast.
2. Location: This crucial knockout tie will take place at Miami Stadium, which is located in the famously humid climate of South Florida. The impressive venue has already staged numerous World Cup games and is anticipated to be filled with fervent fans from both countries.
3. Weather forecast: Forecasters at the National Weather Service have delivered a concerning prediction for matchday, anticipating widespread scattered showers and powerful storms. The outlook suggests that a substantial band of tropical moisture will sweep across the area precisely around the scheduled 5pm local kick-off time.
4. Threat of severe thunderstorms: Florida is renowned for its unpredictable summer conditions and radar models indicate that the approaching storms could deliver heavy rainfall and dangerous lightning to the stadium vicinity. Meteorologists have cautioned that these intense weather patterns can emerge quickly and often remain over an area for a considerable amount of time.
5. Potential lightning delays: As the football pitch is entirely open to the elements, any lightning strikes detected within an eight-mile radius of Miami Stadium will trigger an immediate and compulsory suspension of play. Should this occur, all players, coaches and match officials will be swiftly escorted from the pitch and into the changing rooms for their safety.
6. FIFA match delay protocols: According to the official tournament regulations, play cannot resume until a minimum of 30 minutes has elapsed without a single lightning strike within the designated danger zone. This stringent safety measure means the 10pm UK kick-off could be pushed back considerably, potentially leaving British television viewers facing an extremely late finish. England’s previous fixture against Mexico was held up by an hour due to adverse weather in Mexico City.
7. Impact of extreme humidity: Even if severe thunderstorms miss the stadium, players will still be required to contend with high humidity levels and soaring temperatures. The extreme heat index will prompt the referee to enforce mandatory cooling breaks throughout both halves in order to safeguard the squads against heat exhaustion.
8. Miami stadium infrastructure: While the ground boasts a sizeable protective roof designed to shelter spectators from both rain and the fierce sun, the pitch remains exposed to the elements. This means that a sudden heavy downpour could significantly impact the playing surface, slowing the game considerably and forcing managers to rethink their tactical approaches.
9. Advice for England supporters: Fans who have travelled all the way to Florida are strongly urged to brace themselves for highly unpredictable and potentially treacherous weather conditions. Local authorities have been actively encouraging supporters to get to the ground as early as possible and to head straight for the covered indoor concourses if required.

READ MORE: England kick-off time could be moved again as Norway World Cup match faces disruption

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Various Prices

Kitbag

Buy Now on Kitbag

England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code DEAL.

Should you draft Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne in redraft fantasy football leagues? Probably not. Should you remember his name and certainly add him to your Dynasty Fantasy squad? Indubitably.

Claiborne profiles as the Vikings’ RB3 this season, and with any luck, he’ll secure meaningful touches by season’s end.

Claiborne’s Speed Creates a Path to Early Touches

The ‘Sharp Football Analysis’ Skinny on Claiborne

Claiborne checked in at “Tier 12” of Rich Hribar’s fantasy running back tiers this week, sharing space with players like Kaytron Allen (Washington Commanders) and Braelon Allen (New York Jets).

Hribar wrote, “Demond Claiborne needs some rounding out, but he lands in a Minnesota backfield that could have some doors open. Aaron Jones will be 31 this season, and Jordan Mason has been a rushing-only back to date.”

“Claiborne is a slasher who can turn in splash plays with his speed. 42.5% of his rushing yards came on runs of 15 or more yards, the fifth-highest rate in this class. This also shows up in the return game. Claiborne only trailed Nicholas Singleton and Jadarian Price in career kickoff return yardage in this class, averaging 26.3 yards per kick return with 2 career touchdowns on special teams.”

Vikings fans waited patiently all offseason for a new running back. In the end, Claiborne was Minnesota’s choice.

“That speed component of his game was reinforced by a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the third-fastest time at his position in Indianapolis,” Hribar continued.

“That speed will get him on the field. Claiborne has to be fast because at 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, his frame likely played a role in the overall pounding he could take, limiting his overall touches and impacting all of the bumps and bruises he left games with.”

Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs headlined Hribar’s first tier in 2026.

The Boom-or-Bust Potential Is Significant

Claiborne was drafted in Round 6. These are the halfbacks picked in that round since 2021:

• Khalil Herbert
• Elijah Mitchell
• Chris Rodriguez
• Kimani Vidal
• Ollie Gordon
• Chris Evans
• Devin Neal
• Gary Brightwell
• Tyler Badie
• Kevin Harris
• Keontay Ingram
• Jawhar Jordan
• Larry Rountree
• Deuce Vaughn
• Scott Matlock
• Tahi Brooks
• Trestan Ebner
• Jase McClellan
• Zach Evans
• Dylan Laube
• Kalel Mullings

It’s not a glowing pecking order, so if Claiborne beats the odds, he’ll boom and surge to the top of the list of recent Round 6 RB hopefuls.

The Key Frank Smith Caveat

Frank Smith, now in Minnesota as the assistant head coach, brings an exciting name to the table with his track record: De’Von Achane.

For the past four seasons, Smith served as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator in Miami. During that time, Achane, a 2023 NFL draftee, blossomed into one of the league’s most dangerous running backs. While his speed was undeniable, Miami’s coaching staff under Smith truly maximized his impact on games.

That’s where Claiborne enters the picture. Achane, at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, recorded a blazing 4.32-second forty-yard dash. Claiborne, at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, ran a 4.37. While not identical, their similarities are enough to generate excitement among Vikings fans.

This offseason, the Vikings retained Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, but changes occurred lower on the coaching staff. Smith was one of the more intriguing new additions. Now, with another fast, smaller running back capable of big plays, optimistic Vikings fans are connecting the dots. They envision Smith replicating his success with Achane, this time with Claiborne in Minneapolis. It could happen.

Probably an Audition for 2027

Jones and Mason will assuredly be the Vikings’ main running backs in 2026, but beyond that, the outlook is cloudy. Jones is old, and the Vikings nearly released him this offseason, save for an accepted paycut. Mason is 27, but 2026 is the final year of his contract.

If you peeked into a crystal ball, there’s a reasonable chance neither man will play for the 2027 Vikings.

That’s where Claiborne’s trajectory gets fascinating. If he has the pop and vision to mimic Achane, well, the team is yearning for an RB1 of the future. Claiborne, for sure, has the youth and speed for the assignment. It’s just unclear if he has the vision and ability to break tackles like other RB1s.

Claiborne is under contract for the next four years. The timing and situation are ripe for a breakout on an RB1-needy team if he has the spine for it.

Otherwise, the Vikings will probably defer to the 2027 NFL Draft, which isn’t the worst option, as the class is already projected to feature heavy-hitting rookie RBs.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK, creating a next-generation public leisure, health and wellbeing hub for the local community.

Operated by Everyone Active on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council, the centre replaces the ageing Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and has been designed to deliver inclusive and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities.

More than 3,500 people visited the centre during its opening weekend, with the launch event attended by Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson, alongside Maisie Summers-Newton, a four-times Paralympic gold medallist in swimming, and Olivia Newman-Baronius, who won swimming gold at Paris 2024.

The aquatics offer includes an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool with seating for 130 spectators, a 17m x 10m learner pool with a movable floor and a dedicated confidence water area to support early-years swimming.

Fitness facilities include a 150-station gym featuring Technogym equipment, group exercise studios, indoor cycling and Reformer Pilates, reflecting the increasing integration of boutique fitness formats into public leisure.

The centre also includes two squash courts, while recovery and wellbeing have been incorporated through the addition of hydromassage beds and three treatment rooms, which will be available for local health and wellbeing practitioners.

Accessibility features include two Changing Places facilities, while community rooms, meeting spaces and a café have been created to support the centre’s role as a social hub.

Gary Foley, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “The opening of this centre is hugely significant for the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“No matter what your age, interests or ability, there is an activity for you here.”

The development has been delivered with sustainability as a priority, with features including a high-performance building fabric, low-carbon heating and ventilation systems and materials selected for whole-life performance.

The wider site also supports active travel, with improved walking and cycling links, cycle storage and electric vehicle charging.

Simon Ramage, managing director at Willmott Dixon, which delivered the project, said: “Leighton Leisure and Community Centre represents the delivery of a modern, future-focused community asset designed to support both operational performance and long-term community wellbeing.

“By combining sustainable design principles with high-quality leisure provision, the project demonstrates how local authority developments can create lasting value for communities while also supporting wider environmental ambitions.”

Everyone Active offers a range of membership options at the centre, including its You+ membership, which combines gym, swim and group exercise classes with personalised coaching and support across health, fitness and wellbeing.

The opening comes as public leisure operators continue to broaden their remit beyond traditional fitness and swimming provision, with new-generation facilities increasingly incorporating recovery, health services, social spaces and specialist programming.

Duncan Jefford, who became managing director of Everyone Active in March after almost 20 years with the organisation, will discuss the future of public leisure when he speaks at HCM Summit on 22 October in London.

Jefford is also interviewed in an upcoming issue of HCM.

Duncan Jefford, who took over as managing director of Everyone Active in March, after almost 20 years with the organisation is interviewed in an upcoming issue of HCM and will be speaking at this year’s HCM Summit on 22 October in London.

Allianz Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 19 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and
Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs.
Parramatta Eels
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday July 11, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Allianz Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Odds

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Preview

The Roosters return from the bye looking to consolidate their place inside the top four when they host an improving Parramatta side at Allianz Stadium. Sydney has won its past two matches and continues to climb despite rarely producing its best football, while the Eels have shown encouraging signs in recent weeks with victories over Canberra and Manly. Daniel Tupou is set to celebrate his 300th NRL appearance, adding another storyline to a Roosters side likely to again feature several Origin representatives. Parramatta has become increasingly competitive under pressure, but Sydney’s outstanding home record against the Eels makes the hosts deserved favourites.

Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar’s feud will come to a head at SummerSlam in August and the showdown has the potential to be WWE’s match of the year.

Femi beat Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 and led to “The Beast Incarnate” deciding to retire – at least for a moment – at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Lesnar made a dramatic return a few weeks later, challenging and beating Femi at Clash in Italy.

COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL

Oba Femi looks on during Monday Night RAW at Allstate Arena on July 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)

At SummerSlam, Femi and Lesnar will do battle inside a Hell in a Cell.

WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield called the next meeting between Femi and Lesnar a “generational matchup.”

“I’ve never seen anything like Oba – well, I have. I’ve seen Brock,” he told Fox News Digital. “It’s very much the carbon copy of Brock coming in. Brock coming in was like, oh my God, who is this guy? The guy can even talk and he’s gonna be one of the biggest stars in wrestling. Not only could he talk, he’s a really smart guy. Brock became one of the biggest draws in professional wrestling. He came one of the biggest draws in UFC. It’s an unbelievable story and now you got somebody who can rival that character.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Brock Lesnar in action against Oba Femi during Monday Night RAW at TD Garden on March 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images)

“This Oba Femi comes out with the silly little walk he does. Everyone kinda does it, it’s like The Bushwackers. But the whole arena does it. I was in Vegas and I didn’t want to go to the matches and deal with the traffic and deal with the backstage area and so I kinda just watched it in a sports bar, I stood in the back where nobody could recognize me, and as soon as Oba came out, the entire sports bar was sitting there doing that Oba Femi dance. The guy is just unbelievably over.

“I really think that somewhere in the NFL this year, you’re going to see an entire NFL arena doing this dance. You’re gonna have somebody like Saquon Barkley or ‘King’ (Derrick Henry) or some of these guys do this dance and it’s infectious. Once one of them does, one of these great running backs or wide receivers, or somebody scores a touchdown, that’s when I think you’re gonna see entire arenas doing it. I just think Oba Femi is lightning in a bottle and Brock has always been that way. This is, to me, a generational matchup.”

Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi face off during WrestleMania 42: Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

SummerSlam will take place on Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) and Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes (8) (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes admitted he is struggling to accept his team’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup after their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16. Portugal entered the tournament as one of the favourites, especially after winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League and boasting a strong squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo and several Champions League-winning PSG stars. Fernandes also arrived in top form after an outstanding season with Manchester United, where he scripted the all-time Premier League record for the most assists in a single season.Taking to Instagram, Fernandes expressed his emotions following Portugal’s exit.“Sad, frustrated, and disappointed,” Fernandes, 31, wrote.He said the quality of Portugal’s squad had given him high hopes of a deep World Cup run.“This group of players raised my expectations high, not only because of their quality, but also because of the incredible team we’ve built over the years,” Fernandes wrote.Portugal managed just two wins in five matches, beating Uzbekistan and Croatia before being knocked out by Spain.Despite the disappointment, Fernandes thanked everyone who supported the team throughout the tournament.“Thank you to all the players, the coaching staff, and everyone who supported us and helped us every day during the World Cup,” he wrote.“To all the Portuguese people, a big thank you for your support and belief.”