In a thrilling encounter at SoFi Stadium, Spain and Belgium contested a tightly fought World Cup quarter-final that ended in a 1-1 draw.Spain took the lead through Fabian Ruiz's close-range finish after Thibaut Courtois parried Dani Olmo's shot into his path.

However, Belgium equalized just before half-time as Charles De Ketelaere headed home a cross, marking the first time Luis de la Fuente’s Spain had conceded in the tournament.

The result highlighted Belgium’s resilience following the injury absence of captain Youri Tielemans, who was named in the starting XI despite his pre-match injury.The match saw intense defensive battles, with Spain’s impenetrable backline finally breached after 650 minutes without conceding.

Key moments included a controversial handball by Spain’s Alejandro Baena, which led to a penalty appeal, and a tense first-half where both teams showcased their attacking prowess.The draw sets up an intriguing second half as both teams seek to advance further in the competition.