Saelemaekers Comes Off Bench, De Winter DNP as Spain Edges Belgium in Thriller

FolioPitch.com – 12 July 2026 | In a gripping quarterfinal clash at the World Cup, the narrative of Saelemaekers comes off bench but not De Winter as Spain knock Belgium out played out on Friday night, ending the tournament for two AC Milan representatives. Alexis Saelemaekers entered the fray for the final 12 minutes, while Koni De Winter watched from the sidelines as Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium to advance to the semifinals.

The match at Al Bayt Stadium started evenly, with both sides probing for openings. Spain, as expected, dominated possession but faced a resilient Belgian defense. In the 30th minute, Fabian Ruiz broke the deadlock with a clinical finish after a swift passing move. Belgium responded quickly; just before halftime, former AC Milan man Charles de Ketelaere rose to head home a corner, marking his third goal in two games. The equalizer sent the Belgian fans into raptures, setting up a tense second half.

As the game progressed, Belgium’s hopes suffered a blow when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury, replaced by Senne Lammens. The substitute keeper had little to do until the 88th minute, when a rebound fell to Mikel Merino, who smashed home the winner. Spain’s pressure eventually told, and they will now face France in the semifinals on Tuesday.

The key talking point for AC Milan supporters was the involvement of their players. Saelemaekers, who had been a bright spot for Belgium earlier in the tournament, was introduced in the 78th minute. In his brief cameo, he had only five touches and completed one pass, but he did manage one dribble. Picking up the ball on the left flank, he drove into the box, rounded advancing goalkeeper Unai Simon, but his cutback was misdirected. It was an opportunity wasted, encapsulating Belgium’s night of missed chances. Meanwhile, De Winter remained an unused substitute, meaning Saelemaekers comes off bench but not De Winter as Spain knock Belgium out became the defining tagline for Milan’s Belgian contingent.

The elimination leaves both players with mixed emotions. Saelemaekers scored a memorable goal in the group stage against New Zealand, showcasing his potential, while De Winter’s lack of playing time may be a concern. For AC Milan, the international break brings a focus on club duties as they prepare for the remainder of the season. The Rossoneri will hope their returning stars can shake off any disappointment and contribute to their domestic and European campaigns.

Spain’s victory sets up a tantalizing semifinal against France, while Belgium must reflect on what might have been. The Red Devils pushed the favorites all the way, but key injuries and missed opportunities proved costly. As the dust settles, the story remains: Saelemaekers comes off bench but not De Winter as Spain knock Belgium out. It’s a result that will be dissected by fans and pundits alike, but for now, the focus shifts to the remaining matches in this thrilling tournament.