Belgium ketelaere sparks golden generation's last push vs Spain
Belgium Ketelaere leads a veteran-heavy Red Devils side into what media call a last-chance World Cup quarterfinal against Spain on Friday in Los Angeles. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in Belgium's 4-1 round-of-16 win over the USA, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the team as Belgium climbed past the Netherlands on the live FIFA ranking before facing unbeaten La Roja.
Key Takeaways
- Belgium meet Spain in the World Cup quarterfinal on Friday at 9 p.m. in Los Angeles after a 4-1 last-16 win over the USA.
- Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half against the USA; Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added the other goals.
- De Telegraaf frames the tie as a possible final shot for Belgium's golden generation, with veterans expected to play a leading role.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino called Belgium's performance "fantastic" after the USA win; Belgium moved ahead of the Netherlands on the live ranking.
- Spain reached the quarterfinal by beating Portugal 1-0 with an injury-time goal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career.
Why Is the Belgium-Spain Quarterfinal Called a Last Chance?
De Telegraaf reports that Belgium's World Cup quarterfinal against Spain on Friday in the Los Angeles area may represent a final opportunity for the Red Devils' golden generation. The Dutch outlet argues that Belgium can put its veteran "oudgedienden" to good use in the clash with Spain — a top favourite that arrived unbeaten through the knockout stage.
Belgium's path supports that narrative of momentum building at the right moment. De Standaard notes that the Red Devils reached the quarterfinals for only the fourth time in their history after dispatching the United States 4-1 in Seattle.
How Did Belgium Ketelaere Steal the Spotlight Against the USA?
Charles De Ketelaere emerged as Belgium's standout in the round of 16. According to De Standaard, the forward scored both of Belgium's first-half goals in the 4-1 victory over the host nation. Hans Vanaken added a second-half strike after a goalkeeper error, and supersub Romelu Lukaku sealed the scoreline late.
That breakout performance arrives as Belgium Ketelaere carries fresh form into the Spain test. American coach Mauricio Pochettino offered no excuses after the defeat, telling reporters that Belgium were simply the better team on the night.
What Did Infantino Say After Belgium's Win?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly praised the Red Devils following their last-16 success. HLN reports that Infantino said in a video message on Instagram: "They were absolutely fantastic today and the whole world is enjoying it."
The victory also shifted Belgium's position on the live FIFA ranking. HLN notes that Belgium climbed to eighth place and moved ahead of the Netherlands, who dropped to ninth after their own elimination. For Belgian fans tracking both pride and standings, the USA win delivered a double dividend before the Spain quarterfinal.
Can Belgium Handle an Unbeaten Spain Side?
Spain's route to Friday's meeting underscores the scale of Belgium's task. De Standaard reports that La Roja eliminated Portugal 1-0 with a goal in added time, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career. Spain had already advanced to await the winner of Belgium versus the United States — a tie Belgium won convincingly.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia told De Telegraaf he is not concerned about a potentially hostile atmosphere at the Los Angeles stadium, reflecting the squad's focus on football rather than crowd noise. For viewers, Fox Sports holds exclusive English-language U.S. broadcast rights to the tournament, and broadcasters have urged American audiences to keep watching even after the host nation's exit.
Track kickoff times, regional broadcasts, and late-breaking lineup news in our Streaming & TV Alerts hub before Friday's 9 p.m. quarterfinal. Read De Telegraaf's full preview at De Telegraaf.