C. De Ketelaere
Atalanta · UEFA Nations League · Attacker · #17 · Belgium · 24 yrs
C. De Ketelaere news
Are Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal playing? France vs Spain confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup semifinal
France and Spain face off in a crucial 2026 World Cup semifinal, with a place in the final on the line. The 2026 World Cup semifinals get underway at Dallas Stadium, where France and Spain meet in a heavyweight clash as both sides look to book their place in Sunday’s grand final. Spain reached this stage by beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals, a match settled by Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute winner after Fabian Ruiz’s opener had been canceled out by Charles De Ketelaere. It capped a knockout run that also included a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16. For this crucial match, Lamine Yamal will start and be one of the attacking focal points alongside Mikel Oyarzabal, the team’s top scorer with four goals. France, meanwhile, arrive unbeaten through six matches, having swept past Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals behind goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Kylian Mbappe celebrates a goal for France vs Morocco. (Getty Images) Mbappe leads all scorers at the tournament with eight goals, more than half of France’s total output in the competition, and will start and captain his side once again. France’s confirmed lineup Didier Deschamps’ main decision centers on Aurelien Tchouameni, who is available again after missing two matches with a muscle injury but has been described as not fully fit. However, Deschamps could still hand him the start over Manu Kone. France‘s confirmed starting XI: Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola; Kylian Mbappe. Spain’s confirmed lineup Luis de la Fuente is expected to stick with the same approach that got past Belgium, keeping Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo both involved through the middle of the park rather than turning to Pedri, who remains an option off the bench. Spain‘s confirmed starting XI: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals bracket: Complete matchups and schedule
The quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup have wrapped up, and the four remaining teams now know where and when they'll face off for a place in the final. The quarterfinal round of the 2026 World Cup has delivered its final four, and the road to the title has never been clearer. Across four matches spread over three days, the tournament trimmed its final eight down to the semifinalists who will battle for a place in the championship game. France were the first side through, dispatching Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele sealing the tournament’s first semifinal spot. A day later, Spain followed them into the last four with a 2-1 win over Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium, a match settled by Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute rebound after Fabian Ruiz’s opener and Charles De Ketelaere’s equalizer had cancelled each other out. The final two semifinal berths were decided on Saturday, where England needed a stoppage-time equalizer and a Jude Bellingham extra-time winner to get past Norway, while Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 3-1 win over Switzerland to reach the semifinals. OFFICIAL: THE 2026 WORLD CUP SEMIFINALS ARE SET.Only four matches remain before the tournament comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/THXIxMw03B— Bolavip US (@bolavipus) July 12, 2026 2026 World Cup semifinal schedule With the bracket complete, here is the full slate for the final four: Tuesday, July 14 France vs Spain — Dallas Stadium Wednesday, July 15 England vs Argentina — Atlanta Stadium
World Cup 2026: Spain set for blockbuster semi-final against France
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz, preferred to Pedri in the starting line-up, gave La Roja the lead in the 30th minute, converting the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had made the initial save. Belgium levelled 11 minutes later through a powerful Charles De Ketelaere header, ending Spain's remarkable run of 649 minutes without conceding at a World Cup. The second half proved much tougher for Belgium, particularly after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois broke down in tears when he appeared to suffer a thigh injury and was forced off in the 77th minute. Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was handed a difficult task in his place, but he could only parry a Spanish effort into the path of Mikel Merino, who converted the rebound to put Spain 2–1 ahead. Merino once again made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring the winner just 100 seconds after coming on, much as he did against Portugal. Spain will now face France in only their second-ever World Cup semi-final. Their only previous appearance came in 2010, when they went on to lift the trophy.
Spain Knocks Out Belgium 2-1: Mikel Merino Closer Heroics, KDB Retires & Semis Spain vs France Preview
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros deliver a comprehensive live reaction to Spain's tense 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium, highlighting Charles De Ketelaere's breakthrough header, Thibaut Courtois' unfortunate injury, and Mikel Merino's legendary super-sub heroics. Broadcasting from Miami, the guys hand out official match grades, honor the international career of Kevin De Bruyne, and evaluate Lamine Yamal's development before previewing the colossal Spain vs. France semifinal and the remaining quarterfinal fixtures involving England, Norway, Argentina, and Switzerland.
World Cup 2026: Merino's late winner sends Spain past Belgium and into semi-finals
Spain booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals on Friday after Mikel Merino struck a dramatic late winner at the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Belgium. Fabian Ruiz had opened the scoring before Charles De Ketelaere restored parity during the first half, but Luis de la Fuente's side found the decisive goal just two minutes from time.
How Spain’s win, draw, or loss vs Belgium could impact the 2026 World Cup bracket
While the final result is yet to be decided, today’s showdown could dramatically reshape the road to the trophy. Spain and Belgium meet in one of the biggest matches of the 2026 World Cup, with a semifinal place hanging in the balance. While the final result is yet to be decided, today’s showdown could dramatically reshape the road to the trophy. Stay with us to discover how every possible outcome could influence the tournament bracket and determine who takes the next step toward World Cup glory. Spain enters the quarterfinal after an impressive run that has strengthened its reputation as one of the favorites to lift the trophy. Belgium, meanwhile, arrives with renewed confidence after convincingly eliminating the United States and hopes to continue its resurgence against the reigning European champion. Spain and Belgium arrive with contrasting journeys La Roja topped Group H with seven points, defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay while drawing with Cape Verde before cruising past Austria 3-0 and edging Portugal 1-0 in the knockout rounds. Luis de la Fuente’s side has become one of the tournament’s standout performers thanks to its disciplined defensive structure and patient possession-based approach. Belgium’s route has been far more dramatic. The Red Devils finished first in Group G with five points, beating New Zealand and drawing with Egypt and Iran before surviving Senegal in extra time and producing an emphatic 4-1 victory over co-host USA in the Round of 16. DateSpain’s OpponentStageResultJune 15, 2026Cabo VerdeGroup StageDraw (0–0)June 21, 2026Saudi ArabiaGroup StageWin (4–0)June 26, 2026UruguayGroup StageWin (1–0)July 2, 2026AustriaRound of 32Win (3–0)July 6, 2026PortugalRound of 16Win (1–0) The European champion also arrives carrying remarkable momentum. Spain has not conceded a goal throughout the tournament and became the first national team in World Cup history to keep six consecutive clean sheets. Goalkeeper Unai Simon has also extended his scoreless streak beyond 600 minutes in the competition. Belgium, however, has shown steady improvement after an inconsistent group stage. Veteran stars Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois continue to provide leadership, while younger players such as Charles De Ketelaere and Leandro Trossard have added another dimension to the attack. DateBelgium’s OpponentStageResultJune 15, 2026EgyptGroup StageDraw (1–1)June 21, 2026IranGroup StageDraw (0–0)June 26, 2026New ZealandGroup StageWin (5–1)July 1, 2026SenegalRound of 32Win (3–2 AET)July 6, 2026United StatesRound of 16Win (4–1) What happens if Spain wins and Belgium loses? A Spanish victory would send La Roja into the 2026 World Cup semifinals, where France already awaits after the French defeated Morocco 2-0. Pau Cubarsi #22 of Spain celebrates after a goal scored by Pedro Porro #12 celebrates. Spain would continue its unbeaten tournament, extend its historic defensive run, and move within one victory of reaching its first World Cup final since winning the competition in 2010. Belgium, meanwhile, would see its tournament come to an end despite its late resurgence. The victory would also reinforce Spain’s status as one of the leading favorites to capture a second World Cup title under Luis de la Fuente. What happens if the match is tied after 90 minutes? A draw at the end of regulation would not decide the bracket. Instead, the quarterfinal would move into two 15-minute periods of extra time. Alex Baena celebrates a goal for Spain. Should the teams remain level after 120 minutes, the semifinal spot would be decided through a penalty shootout. Only then would one team officially secure its place against France while the other would be eliminated. Unlike the group stage, there is no possibility of both teams advancing or sharing points once the knockout rounds begin. What happens if Belgium wins and Spain loses? A Belgian victory would produce one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The Red Devils would advance t
Is Lamine Yamal playing? Spain vs Belgium confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup game
Spain and Belgium face off in a crucial 2026 World Cup quarterfinal clash, with a place in the semifinals on the line. The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals continue at Los Angeles Stadium, where Spain and Belgium clash in a crucial match as both look to book their place among the tournament’s final four teams. Spain stumbled into the tournament with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde, but have looked sharper with every match since, cruising to the top of Group H before thrashing Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 and edging out Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 on a late Mikel Merino strike. Much of the attention heading into Friday’s match falls on Lamine Yamal. The young forward has managed just a single goal through five appearances this tournament and will start today alongside Mikel Oyarzabal, who is leading the squad with four goals. Belgium, meanwhile, needed a dramatic turnaround to reach this stage, coming from behind to beat Senegal in extra time after topping Group G, before putting together their most complete performance of the tournament in a 4-1 rout of the USMNT to reach the quarterfinals. Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium celebrates a goal vs the USMNT. (Getty Images) Spain’s confirmed lineup Luis de la Fuente will make only one change to the lineup that eliminated Portugal, opting to use midfielder Fabian Ruiz from the start, leaving Pedri on the substitutes’ bench. Spain’s confirmed starting XI: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri,Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal. Belgium’s confirmed lineup Rudi Garcia will lean once again on Belgium’s veteran core, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield with a front line built for pace and directness. Belgium’s confirmed starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Maxim De Cuyper; Hans Vanaken, Nicolas Raskin; Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku; Charles De Ketelaere.
Video: Thibaut Courtois leaves Belgium vs Spain in tears after being forced off
Thibaut Courtois left the field in tears during Belgium's clash against Spain in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals after suffering an injury. Thibaut Courtois was forced off in tears during Belgium’s 2026 World Cup quarterfinal clash against Spain at Los Angeles Stadium, with the match level at 1-1 thanks to goals from Fabian Ruiz and Charles De Ketelaere. The Real Madrid goalkeeper had kept Belgium in the contest with five saves before going down with an apparent leg injury in the 69th minute, during a hydration break. He initially appeared to be fine to continue, but Belgium ultimately opted to substitute him, bringing on Senne Lammens in his place. Courtois was visibly emotional as he walked off, wiping away tears while being embraced by his teammates. Despite representing Belgium, Spanish fans in the stands gave him a warm ovation as he left the pitch, a reflection of the status he holds in Madrid after years as one of Real Madrid’s most decorated players. Thibaut Courtois was visibly emotional after having to sub off for Belgium 🇧🇪Senne Lammens comes on to replace him pic.twitter.com/SAf0VxNdaZ— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 10, 2026 *Developing story
Why isn’t Romelu Lukaku starting for Belgium against Spain at the 2026 World Cup?
Belgium face Spain in a crucial 2026 World Cup quarterfinal clash, where Romelu Lukaku will begin the match on the bench. Belgium face Spain in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, and manager Rudi Garcia is once again leaving Romelu Lukaku out of his starting lineup. Garcia continues to trust Charles De Ketelaere as a false nine up front, the same setup that has anchored Belgium’s attack since the group stage, with Lukaku kept in reserve as an option off the bench. Part of the decision to use Lukaku as a sub stems from his injury-plagued season leading up to the World Cup. The striker was injured during the preseason with Napoli and was limited to just 64 minutes of action across seven appearances. That lack of sharpness put his World Cup spot in real doubt heading into the tournament, but Rudi Garcia ultimately trusted the veteran forward, naming him to the final roster in North America. Romelu Lukaku celebrates a goal for Belgium vs the USMNT. (Getty Images) Lukaku’s impact as a substitute That role suits Lukaku just fine — he’s been most effective for Belgium precisely as a substitute this tournament, forcing an own goal in the opening draw with Egypt and scoring against New Zealand in the group finale. The one time Garcia did hand him a start during the group stage, against Iran, the striker struggled to get into the game, failing to register a shot before picking up a yellow card and being hauled off in the 73rd minute. Lukaku’s role coming off the bench paid off again in the Round of 32 against Senegal. Coming on at halftime with Belgium trailing 2-0, he scored in the 86th minute to spark a late comeback that forced extra time, where Belgium eventually secured the win. Additionally, the striker scored off the bench once again to seal a 4-1 victory over the USMNT in the Round of 16.
Why isn’t Amadou Onana playing for Belgium against Spain at the 2026 World Cup?
His glaring absence casts a heavy shadow over this titanic clash, leaving supporters desperate for answers as to why the Aston Villa talisman has been sidelined for such a historic battle. A monumental trial awaits Belgium in the 2026 World Cup Quarter-finals against Spain, yet the Red Devils must march into the crucible missing their midfield anchor, Amadou Onana. His glaring absence casts a heavy shadow over this titanic clash, leaving supporters desperate for answers as to why the Aston Villa talisman has been sidelined for such a historic battle. The quarterfinal in Los Angeles brings together two of Europe’s strongest national teams, with Spain chasing a second World Cup title and Belgium hoping to reach the semifinals for the first time since its memorable run in 1986. While Luis de la Fuente’s squad enters the match with remarkable defensive form, Belgium has been forced into a major adjustment before kickoff. La Roja has enjoyed an impressive tournament under Luis de la Fuente. It topped its group before eliminating Austria and edging past Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 thanks to Mikel Merino’s dramatic late winner. Belgium has also recovered from a slow start. After opening the tournament with two draws, the Red Devils responded with victories over New Zealand, Senegal and the United States, scoring 12 goals across those three matches. StageSpain’s ResultsBelgium’s ResultsGroup Stage Match 1Draw 0–0 vs. Cabo VerdeDraw 1–1 vs. EgyptGroup Stage Match 2Win 4–0 vs. Saudi ArabiaDraw 0–0 vs. IranGroup Stage Match 3Win 1–0 vs. UruguayWin 5–1 vs. New ZealandRound of 32Win 3–0 vs. AustriaWin 3–2 (AET) vs. SenegalRound of 16Win 1–0 vs. PortugalWin 4–1 vs. United States Rudi Garcia’s side produced one of its finest displays of the tournament by defeating the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added further goals to secure Belgium’s place in the last eight. Why Amadou Onana is missing against Spain The lingering questions surrounding Amadou Onana’s absence have been met with a devastating reality. Belgium recently confirmed that their midfield warrior suffered a catastrophic ruptured ACL in his right knee during the fierce battle against the United States, cruelly ending his tournament and leaving a massive void in the heart of the squad. Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium reacts after sustaining an injury The injury occurred in the 18th minute when Onana challenged for the ball alongside United States forward Christian Pulisic. The Belgian immediately grabbed his right knee before receiving treatment from the medical staff and attempting to continue. Although he briefly returned to his feet, it quickly became clear he could not carry on. Belgium substituted him three minutes later, replacing him with Hans Vanaken in the 21st minute. Medical examinations later confirmed the worst fears for Belgium, Aston Villa and the player himself. Amadou Onana has suffered an ACL tear in Belgium's match vs. USA.Onana had to be subbed off early in the first-half after a non-contact injury. Clear valgus + pivoting mechanism as seen in the graphic.Expected Recovery Time: 9-12 months#Belgium #AVFC #WorldCup #WorldCup2026… pic.twitter.com/RBP5NPWp5k— Physio Scout | Football Injury Analysis (@physioscout) July 7, 2026 Belgium confirms devastating diagnosis Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene revealed the extent of the injury after further testing. “This is devastating news, both for him personally and for the team,” Hacene said. The Belgian medical staff has already begun coordinating with Aston Villa regarding the midfielder’s recovery. “We immediately consulted with Amadou and with Aston Villa to agree on the best approach to his recovery. Over the coming days, we will jointly determine the next steps in his medical treatment and rehabilitation.” Despite being ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, Onana will stay with the Belgium squad through the quarterfinal to continue s
2026 World Cup Quarter-Final Predictions: Rabona TV’s Ultimate Bracket Breakdown
Watch Rabona TV's official 2026 World Cup quarter-final predictions video. Get expert score lines and tactical analysis for each game. The tournament structure has filtered out the noise, leaving just eight elite nations standing on the absolute threshold of footballing immortality at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Round of 16 delivered high-octane drama, agonizing penalty shootouts, and heavy-pedigree exclusions—leaving a hyper-competitive quarter-final matrix where there is officially no safety net and zero margin for strategic error. To navigate this elite tactical terrain, soccer analyst Adrian Sousa of Rabona TV has dropped a thorough, game-by-game preview guide detailing who will punch their ticket to the final four, where the tactical battle lines are drawn, and how the global brackets will shake out. From a massive cross-confederation rematch of a 2022 classic to an unprecedented heavyweight striker duel, the comprehensive video breakdown below exposes the structural adjustments that will mold the tournament’s semi-finalists. Watch: Full Quarter-Final Tactical Forecast Mapping the Elite Eight: Key Battles & Video Chapters The final eight features an exceptional blend of historical heavyweights, reigning holders, and history-making modern powerhouses. For those looking to slide directly to a specific sector of the bracket tree, the video guide coordinates every single fixture using explicit chronological chapters: Video Chapter Navigation Guide 00:00 – Intro: Outlining the physical constraints, scheduling structures, and baseline fatigue factors governing the quarter-final bracket.00:27 – France vs. Morocco: An epic reboot of the 2022 semi-final that the French secured 2-0. This time, the Atlas Lions march into the tie as the first African nation in soccer history to secure back-to-back quarter-final appearances.04:07 – Spain vs. Belgium: A classic European tactical collision. La Roja have looked completely impenetrable, navigating the entire tournament without conceding a single goal, but they must now choke out an in-form Belgian vanguard spearheaded by Romelu Lukaku and Charles De Ketelaere.07:04 – Norway vs. England: A historic, heavyweight focal point marking Norway’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup quarter-final. The fixture presents a mouth-watering direct forward duel as Erling Haaland clashes with England’s structural talisman Harry Kane.10:49 – Argentina vs. Switzerland: Lionel Scaloni’s reigning world champions continue their quest to become the first back-to-back crown holders since Brazil in 1962. With Lionel Messi leading the Golden Boot race, they face a stubbornly organized Swiss block appearing in the last eight for the first time in over 70 years.14:44 – FIFA’s dream come true: Breaking down the commercial landscape, structural narratives, and global television implications of this elite final-eight lineup.
World Cup Daily Recap: Spain Shatters Ronaldo’s Dream; Belgium Thrashes USA to Clear Out Co-Hosts
Adrian Sousa from Rabona TV breaks down a historic day of Round of 16 action as Cristiano Ronaldo bids an emotional farewell and the USMNT falls 4-1 to Belgium. The Round of 16 has officially brought down the curtain on a legendary career and completely cleared the tournament’s home field. On the latest edition of Rabona TV, Adrian Sousa dissects a momentous day of knockout football defined by late heartbreak, a devastating tactical blowout, and massive post-match managerial fallout. Listen to the full tactical post-mortem on Spotify to see how the Quarterfinal bracket is locking in. The emotional focal point of the world’s stage centered on an intensely cagey Iberian Derby in Dallas. With Portugal and Spain seemingly locked in a stalemate destined for extra time, Spanish substitute Mikel Merino struck a dagger in the 91st minute. The clinical finish secured a 1-0 victory for La Roja, sending them to the final eight and ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary World Cup journey. The 41-year-old icon left the pitch in tears, confirming this was his final tournament loop—a watershed moment followed quickly by manager Roberto Martínez stepping down as Portugal boss. Meanwhile, in Seattle, the final remaining co-host suffered a brutal tactical unraveling. Belgium tore a flat United States defensive line to shreds in a dominant 4-1 rout. Charles De Ketelaere bag loaded the first half with a clinical brace, before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku piled on the misery. Malik Tillman’s spectacular free kick provided the lone consolation for the USMNT, who bow out at the Round of 16 stage for a frustrating fourth consecutive time. The exit of the United States completes a clean sweep of heartbreak for the organizing continent, following closely behind the sudden departures of Canada and Mexico. Adrian concludes the show by breaking down how the remaining heavyweights stack up on the newly configured road to the final. You can stream the entire daily breakdown right now. Check out the Rabona TV World Cup Recap on Spotify to get the complete analysis on the end of the Ronaldo era, tactical match ratings, and early Quarterfinal previews.
World Cup Recap: Spain Edges Portugal in Iberian Derby; Belgium Eliminates USA
Dan Riccio and Blake Price recap a tournament-altering day of Round of 16 action on The 90th Minute as the USA falls and Cristiano Ronaldo exits his final World Cup. The Round of 16 carnage has officially claimed the last standing co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the newest edition of The 90th Minute, hosts Dan Riccio and Blake Price return to unpack a massive day of knockout football that saw North American hopes completely extinguished and a legendary international career come to a heartbreaking end. Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear the complete tactical matchday breakdown. The show leads with Belgium’s emphatic, dominant victory over the United States Men’s National Team. Spearheaded by a sensational two-goal performance from Charles De Ketelaere, the Red Devils completely overwhelmed the American tactical setup. The hosts analyze where it all fell apart for the USMNT and evaluate whether this clinical Belgian side has what it takes to go all the way. The result cements a brutal stretch for the tournament organizers, as all three host nations have now officially bowed out in the Round of 16. The focus then shifts to a high-stakes, legendary Iberian Derby between Spain and Portugal. In a tense tactical chess match that seemed destined for extra time, Mikel Merino popped up to strike a heartbreaking, late match-winner for La Roja. The dramatic victory punches Spain’s ticket to the final eight while abruptly ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup dream. The guys tackle the heavy post-match debate: did Ronaldo’s presence hold a talented Portuguese squad back? The episode winds down with a comprehensive look ahead to the remaining Round of 16 slate. The duo previews Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on a tricky Egypt squad, alongside Switzerland’s fascinating clash with an in-form Colombia side, before sharing reflections on Vancouver’s atmospheric hosting experience. You can stream the entire daily overview right now. Check out The 90th Minute on Spotify to stay completely updated on final scores, tactical adjustments, and emerging tournament favorites.
World Cup: Serie A stars De Ketelaere and Lukaku on the scoresheet as Belgium eliminate USMNT – video
Goals from Serie A stars Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku helped Belgium eliminate the USMNT from the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, securing a 4-1 win.Rudi Garcia’s Belgium have progre...