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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡
The second quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup was in Southern California, and drew a full house, with the “lowest” price for tickets seen at $4,396 on 22 June, but down to $1,087 on Friday.
● Spain 2, Belgium 1 ● European champion Spain and perennial power Belgium played a high-quality game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California in the World Cup quarters, with Spain starting out in normal form, with most of the possession.
But the defense was tight and there were only four shots by the time of the first hydration break, with the Spanish at 64% of the ball and 3-1 on shots. Belgium was playing without star midfielder Youri Tielemans due to injury.
But Spain’s pressure finally paid off in the 30th. After a build-up on the right side, a pass by defender Pedro Porro into the box resulted in a shot from star midfielder Dani Olmo, saved by Belgian keeper Thibault Cortois.
But the rebound came straight out and was slammed home by midfielder Fabrian Ruiz for the 1-0 lead.
Spain kept coming – especially teen striker Lamine Yamal – but Belgium increased its offensive effort, and midfield star Kevin De Bruyne got the ball to defender Timothy Castagne on the right side, who sent a perfect cross into the box that was headed in for the 1-1 tie by forward Charles De Ketelaere in the 41st.
It was the first goal allowed by Spain in the tournament. There was no more scoring in the half, with Spanish possession down to 62% and Spain ahead on shots, 9-2. Belgium made the most of its opportunity in the “second quarter.”
In the second half, Cortois was called on for more saves – four by the time of the hydration break – and at the stoppage, Spanish possession was back up to 67% and 13-4 on shots. But no more goals.
On the re-start, Cortois had to come out after an initial save, but was hurt on a Spanish shot and had to be replaced in the 71st by Senne Lammens. The Spanish pressure continued unabated, without success until the 88th. A shot by defender Pau Cubarsi straightaway from the top of the box was saved by Lammens, but rebounded in front of him and was followed up with an easy score by midfielder Mikel Merino for the 2-1 lead.
Belgium as on the attack, of course, for the final minute and seven in stoppage time, but could not score and it ended, 2-1. Spain ended with 68% possession and 17-5 on shots and after winning the trophy in 2010, the Spanish have gone out in the group stage, then twice in the Round-of-16. They are in their third semi, after 1950 and 2010.
≡ PANORAMA ≡
Two more quarterfinals to go on Saturday:
● Norway vs. England: In Miami Gardens. (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Argentina vs. Switzerland: In Kansas City. (9 p.m. Eastern)
The semifinals will be on 14-15 July in Arlington (Spain vs. France) and Atlanta and the final in East Rutherford on the 19th. The third-place game in Miami Gardens will be on the 18th.
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FIFA released more tickets for sale for the World Cup Final, with 1,178 seats in Category 2 at a staggering $7,380 each, reportedly in the top deck of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Nee Jersey.
There were 68 tickets offered in “Front Category 1″ priced from $19,995 to $32,970.
Britain’s The Independent reported, “On Fifa’s official marketplace, resale tickets for the final were listed from $7,440.50 to $11,499,998.85.”
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