Spain face Belgium on Friday in a World Cup quarterfinal that pits one of the tournament's smoothest operators against a side emboldened by a thunderous 4-1 win over the United States that followed one of football's most bizarre political interventions.
Belgium look to have found their best playing style at the World Cup after thrashing co-hosts the US 4-1 on Monday, but the successful tinkering of coach Rudi Garcia has come at a cost to his top players.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute after goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubars's long-range effort, restoring Spain's lead and putting the 2010 champions 2-1 ahead of Belgium.
The United States' World Cup dreams came to a crashing halt in the last 16 against Belgium on Monday as Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in a 4-1 win, overshadowed by FIFA's controversial decision to suspend US forward Folarin Balogun's ban.
Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated Aston Villa 2-0 in the Premier League, with goals from Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes, to avoid becoming the worst side in Premier League history.
Aston Villa secured a 1-0 victory against Lille in the Europa League, while other matches saw Bologna draw with AS Roma and Porto win against VfB Stuttgart.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Arsenal re-established their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 home win against Brentford on Wednesday and for the second evening running the goals flowed as Aston Villa won 4-3 in a thriller at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Man City ease to 3-0 win over Liverpool as Guardiola celebrates 1,000th game in style
After Saturday's 2-1 win at Chelsea - their 12th in 13 league matches - Aston Villa have claimed 18 points from losing positions so far this season, more than any other team.
Morocco's Bounou felt dizzy but will play against Canada, says team doctor
Bournemouth won away at Arsenal for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday, and completed a memorable double to boost their chances of playing in Europe next season, thanks to a second-half fightback en route to a thrilling 2-1 win.
Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne gave Belgium a 2-0 win over Romania in an incredible game full of chances
Sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side laboured to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova in their World Cup qualification match on Monday.
A round-up of Saturday's action in the Premier League.
Belgium will have no complaints about the first VAR decision to disallow a goal, but cancelling out a second strike from Romelu Lukaku, which denied them a late equaliser against Slovakia at Euro 2024 on Monday, is the tournament's first controversy.
A summary of Saturday's action in the English Premier League.
Romania face tough test against experienced and motivated Ukraine
Manchester City climbed back into the Premier League's top four as second-half goals by Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva sealed a comeback 3-1 victory at Everton on Wednesday.
A summary of Thursday's action in the Premier League.
Images from the FIFA World Cup Group F match between Belgium and Morocco on Sunday.
Israel debutant Yarden Shua scored an 86th-minute winner as they upset more fancied Belgium 1-0 in Budapest on Sunday.
IMAGES from UEFA Champions League matches played on Tuesday
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday
Ivan Toney, once Brentford's lynchpin in attack, has moved to Al-Ahli for 40 million pounds ($52.50 million).
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Saturday
Wolverhampton Wanderers stunned Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 with stoppage-time goals from Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina on Saturday, thwarting the visitors in their bid to reclaim top spot in the Premier League table.
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Saturday
Holders Chelsea made light of their off-pitch problems to reach the Champions League quarter-finals by beating Lille 2-1 away on Wednesday to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Liverpool's Matip did not want to play for Cameroon for the moment because of a 'bad experience' with the previous coaching staff
Glimpses from Sunday's Nations League matches.
IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
Manchester City needed a second-half penalty from striker Erling Haaland to break the resistance of a dogged Crystal Palace.
A summary of Saturday's action in the Premier League.
IMAGES from the EPL matches played on Saturday
The FIFA 2022 World Cup will kick-off in Qatar on Sunday, November 20. Here is a list of the 26-man squads playing in the quadrennial global football extravaganza.
IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
