World Cup semifinals: Spain eliminates Belgium to keep alive unbeaten streak
Atlanta bar erupts as Spain secures World Cup semifinal spot
Atlanta soccer fans packed the pubs for the World Cups. Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals after defeating Belgium 2 to 1 in front of a packed crowd at a local soccer bar
DECATUR, Ga. - The Spanish squad advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a tight 2-1 victory over Belgium, keeping alive their unbeaten streak. Fans turned out at the Brewhouse in Little Five Points for the high-stakes quarterfinal matchup.
Spain advances to semifinals
What we know:
Spain downed Belgium 2-1 in a tough World Cup quarterfinal match to punch its ticket to the semifinals. The victory extended the team's unbeaten streak to 36 straight matches since 2023.
Nicolas Castro is from Madrid. He said: "It was a hard-fought match. I was so happy, so happy to be celebrating. We deserved it". Belgium became the first team to score a goal against Spain in the entire tournament. The Spanish fans felt the tension. "I was really stressed out, but they did it in the end, said Iyanna Yapo. "I’m very happy, and now I can go home and rest peacefully. Go Spain." Belgium fans like Anne Sophie Janssen felt heartbroken but immense pride proud their team put up a tough fight against the undefeated Spanish squad. "Our country didn’t even think we’d get this far," Janssen said. "They conceded their first goal against our team, so I’m proud of us."
Lacey Monconeuit said, "Right now, it hurts. I’m holding back tears a little bit," said Monconeuit. "I think they have a lot of grit. They fought the whole game through."
Soccer bar fan reactions
What they're saying:
"They play as a team, and we always get it done," Castro said regarding the Spanish squad's performance. "We were so stressed. And once that second goal came, we just couldn’t keep it in". When asked if Spain would go all the way, Castro stated, "Of course, of course, we believe wholeheartedly in the team." Yapo shared her relief after the final whistle, saying she was "very happy, and now I can go home and rest peacefully. Go Spain."
Upcoming World Cup schedule
What's next:
Two more quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Saturday. England will kick off against Norway, and Argentina will take on Switzerland. The winners of those two matches will move on to play their semifinal game in Atlanta on Wednesday. Spain is scheduled to play France in their semifinal matchup on Tuesday in Dallas.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 5 reporter Christopher King, who spoke live with soccer fans at the Brewhouse in Little Five Points during the broadcast, as well as direct interviews with Spanish supporters Nicolas Castro and Iyanna Yapo, and Belgian fans Anne Sophie Janssen and Lacey Monconeuit.