Spain Knocks Out Belgium 2-1: Mikel Merino Closer Heroics, KDB Retires & Semis Spain vs France Preview

In this high-energy live reaction episode of The Cooligans, Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros broadcast live from a remarkably humid Miami to break down Spain's dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals. The guys dissect an unpredictable game of two halves that saw a cagey opening explode into a chaotic, vibe-driven second period. They analyze Belgium's impressive defensive resilience and Charles De Ketelaere’s shocking header that broke Spain's clean-sheet streak, all before a devastating gluteal injury forced world-class Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois out of the match. The hosts heap praise on Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, dubbed the squad's ultimate closer, who stepped onto the pitch and scored the game-winning goal just three minutes later. They weigh the post-match fallout of the result, reflecting on the poignant international retirement of Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne. The conversation highlights a fiery "Stock Up" and "Stock Down" segment, evaluating Lamine Yamal's performance under constant double-teams against an erratic outing from Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón and a disappointing shift from Jeremy Doku. Alexis also leverages Belgium's competitive display to launch a passionate critique of the structural flaws, pay-to-play dynamics, and developmental discrepancies holding back U.S. Soccer. Looking ahead to the next phase of the tournament bracket, the guys preview a monumental semifinal heavyweight clash between Spain and a relentless France team. They also cast their eyes toward the remaining high-stakes quarterfinal matchups. Christian and Alexis debate whether Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard can exploit an injury-hampered England backline, and map out tactical expectations for a highly physical battle between Switzerland—led by Granit Xhaka and Swiss-Dominican hero Ruben Vargas—and Lionel Messi's resilient Argentina squad. Timestamps: (00:00) — Live from Miami: Spain 2-1 Belgium & KDB's Final International Match (02:18) — Courtois' Butt Injury Chaos & Mikel Merino: The Ultimate Box Office Closer (05:06) — The Lamine Yamal Double-Team Tactics & De Ketelaere's Market Value Boost (16:41) — Stock Market: Ruiz & Yamal Trend Up, Unai Simón & Jeremy Doku Slide Down (22:20) — Semifinal Blockbuster Preview: Can Spain Outscore the French Freight Train? (27:11) — England's Heavy Favoritism vs. Haaland's Familiar Norway (37:01) — Argentina vs. Switzerland: Ruben Vargas' Dominican Hype, Granit Xhaka & Official Tournament Grades Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv