FootballRoundtable
255 Members
•
759 Posts
FootballRoundtable
FootballRoundtable
Follow
Max Whittle
Verified
maxwhittle@RoundtableIO
Copied to clipboard
Manchester United fan and aspiring football writer at UA92.
Posts
8
Followers
6
Following
All Channels
RTBHOME
RTMANU
FootballRoundtable
Published
Comments
All
Story
Community Post
Spain 2-1 Belgium: Another Late Merino Goal Sees Spain Through To Semi-Finals
2
2
Jul 10, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain 1-1 Belgium: Half-Time Thoughts
It is level at the break between Spain and Belgium after an entertaining first half. It was a quiet start to the quarter-final, with Spain having a lot of the possession. Neither side had many chances before the first hydration break but Spain looked the slightly better of the two sides. Belgium did not look as dangerous going forward but still had their moments of encouraging play. Jeremy Doku has been the biggest threat for the Red Devils and has had some really good moments against Pedro Porro. For Spain, Alex Baena and Lamine Yamal were outstanding out wide and began to grow into the game as the half went on. Spain began to put more pressure on Belgium and found the breakthrough after 30 minutes. The goalscorer, Fabian Ruiz, had been selected to start instead of Pedri; a huge call from Luis de la Fuente that has so far paid off. Dani Olmo's shot was saved by Courtois but Ruiz was there to follow it up and put Spain ahead. Spain then began to build momentum as they searched for a second. Lamine Yamal came close on a few occassions as he showed why he is one of the best talents in world football. But then, Belgium found an equaliser against the run of play through Charles De Ketelaere, who continues his fine goalscoring form. The young forward beat Pau Cubarsi in the air to level the score, meaning Spain concede for the first time this tournament. Both sides have pressed high and looked to play exciting football. It has been an entertaining half from a neutral perspective, and the second half will be more of the same as both teams look to advance through to the semi-finals.
Jul 10, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain vs Belgium | Team News
The 2026 FIFA World Cup's second quarter-final takes place this evening as Spain take on Belgium in Los Angeles. The line-ups are now confirmed. Spain XI: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Olmo, Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, J. Garcia, E. Garcia, Pubill, Llorente, Grimaldo, Pedri, Gavi, Zubimendi, Merino, Pino, Iglesias, Torres, Williams, Munoz. Belgium XI: Courtois, Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper, Raskin, Tielemans, De Bruyne, Doku, Trossard, De Ketelaere. Subs: Penders, Lammens, Theate, Seys, De Winter, Meunier, Saelemaekers, Witsel, Moreira, Vanaken, Lukebakio, Fernandez-Pardo, Lukaku. Pedri is benched by Luis de la Fuente, being replaced by Fabian Ruiz in the starting line-up. Apart from that, Spain are unchanged. Rudi Garcia recalls Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku to the side after they were left out in the last round. Charles De Ketelaere leads the line for Belgium again after a brace against the USA and Mikel Oyarzabal starts up front for Spain after scoring four goals so far this tournament.
Jul 10, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain vs Belgium Match Preview: La Roja Face Dark Horses Belgium In Huge Last Eight Fixture
2
1
Jul 10, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Portugal 0-1 Spain: Late Merino Winner Sinks Portugal's World Cup Dream
5
6
Jul 6, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Portugal 0-0 Spain: Half-Time Thoughts
It's 0-0 at the break in Dallas but the first half has been an entertaining watch. Spain have had more of the ball but Portugal have defended well and created a few chances on the counter and from set-pieces. The match began quite scrappy, with neither side really able to settle straight away. Portugal set up more deeper and not pressing the composed Spanish defence. As the half went on, Spain began to dominate possession more but struggled to take their chances. Mikel Oyarzabal missed a golden opportunity in the eighth minute to put Spain ahead. His run was excellent and Dani Olmo found him perfectly, putting the striker one-on-one with Diogo Costa, but he put his shot wide of the post. Diogo Costa was called into action a few times in the first half. He pulled off a fantastic double save to deny both Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena an opener. Nuno Mendes also had a great chance for Portugal when his shot was deflected onto the bar by Pedro Porro. Cristiano Ronaldo has had his moments and was close to opening the scoring with a difficult chance that was saved by Unai Simon. He also could have been awarded a penalty for supposed shirt-pulling by Rodri but the foul was not given by the referee and VAR did not intervene. Both sides have had chances and the second half is going to be exciting. Spain have had more of the ball but Portugal's counter attacks could cause them problems. Yamal has not had a major impact so far but he only needs one chance and he will punish Portugal. Spain will be confident that they can find a goal but the longer the score stays at 0-0, the better for Portugal.
Jul 6, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Portugal vs Spain | Team News
Portugal face Spain tonight in one of the biggest clashes of the tournament so far. The line-ups have been confirmed and are listed below. Portugal XI: Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes, Vitinha, Neves, Fernandes, Felix, Neto, Ronaldo. Subs: Sa, Silva, Dalot, Inacio, Nunes, Semedo, Araujo, Silva, Conceicao, Neves, Samu, Trincao, Guedes, Ramos, Leao. Spain XI: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, J. Garcia, E. Garcia, Pubill, Llorente, Grimaldo, Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, Merino, Pino, Iglesias, Torres, Williams, Munoz. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line for Portugal as Rafael Leao drops to the bench. Joao Felix returns to the starting line-up to replace him, with Roberto Martinez making just the one change from the previous match. Spain are unchanged from their match against Austria with Dani Olmo keeping his place in midfield. Lamine Yamal will be hoping to win his battle against Nuno Mendes and it will be interesting to see who wins the midfield battle, with both sides possessing world class quality.
Jul 6, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Portugal vs Spain Match Preview: Favourites Stand In The Way Of Ronaldo's Last Dance
3
1
Jul 6, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain 3-0 Austria: Spain Cruise Through To Last 16 After Comfortable Victory
2
2
Jul 2, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain vs Austria Half-Time Thoughts: Oyarzabal Opener Gives Spain Advantage Before The Break
Mikel Oyarzabal's calm finish in the 36th minute gives Spain a deserved lead heading into the break. La Roja have been sharp and looked like their best selves during this first half. Although Austria have been competitive and have had moments, Spain look to be too much for them. From the first moment, Spain looked dangerous. Lamine Yamal had an early chance on the counterattack but could not convert for his second World Cup goal. They were the more dangerous of the two sides in the early stages but Austria had a chance to snatch the lead in the 17th minute. Marcel Sabitzer put in a fantastic cross for striker Michael Gregoritsch but he could not quite get to the ball. Austria have defended well at times and goalkeeper Alexander Schlager has been outstanding, making five saves already. Sabitzer has dropped back from left-wing to help Konrad Laimer with Yamal but the teenager has still been a threat for Spain. Spain thought they had took the lead in the 29th min when Marc Cucurella smashed the ball past Schlager but the goal was disallowed straight away for a foul from Pau Cubarsi on the Austria goalkeeper. The decision seemed harsh but this did not stop Spain's dominance. If anything, it boosted their confidence. Yamal breezed past Laimer once again and forced a good save from Schlager, but the ball found Oyarzabal who took on the shot which was met by the goalkeeper once again. The goal had been coming for Spain and the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute. Pedri found Cucurella on the left-hand side and he put in a fantastic low cross which found Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad man calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. Another great double save from Schlager stopped Spain from doubling their lead before half-time and Austria will be glad they got to the break just the one goal behind. Spain have been impressive and have grown into the game as it has gone on. Austria have struggled and now have to chase an equaliser, and with the momentum, Spain could add more goals in the second half.
Jul 2, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain vs Austria | Team News
The line-ups for tonight's Round of 32 clash between Spain and Austria have been confirmed. Spain XI: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, J. Garcia, E. Garcia, Pubill, Llorente, Grimaldo, Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, Merino, Pino, Iglesias, Torres, Williams, Munoz. Austria XI: A. Schlager, Posch, Danso, Alaba, Laimer, Seiwald, X. Schlager, Wanner, Schmid, Sabitzer, Gregoritsch. Subs: Wiegele, Pentz, Affengruber, Friedl, Svoboda, Lienhart, Schopf, Prass, Chukwuemeka, Ljubicic, Grillitsch, Mwene, Arnautovic, Wimmer, Kalajdzic. Luis de la Fuente decides to start Dani Olmo as the more attacking midfielder of the three and Alex Baena keeps his place after his goal against Uruguay. Ralf Rangnick starts Michael Gregoritsch as the striker and Konrad Laimer is expected to start at left-back.
Jul 2, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Spain vs Austria Match Preview: La Roja Look To Avoid Another Knockout Stage Upset
1
Jul 2, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Uruguay 0-1 Spain: Early Exit For Uruguay as Spain Stroll Through To Knockout Rounds
3
5
Jun 27, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Uruguay 0-1 Spain Half-Time Thoughts: Muslera Mistake Sees Uruguay On The Verge Of Elimination
It has been a tight but entertaining first half in Jalisco, but it is Spain who go into the break ahead. Uruguay have had good moments so far but have failed to have a shot on target. Darwin Nunez has struggled against Pau Cubarsi but Maximiliano Araujo has been a bright spark again. Spain have been the better team, controlling possession and defending comfortably. Their press has been good but they have also not had many chances against a strong Uruguay defence. Lamine Yamal has not had as big of an impact as he would have hoped to in the first 45 minutes, but Uruguay have set up to stop him by giving him no time or space with the ball. The main area where Spain have looked most dominant is in midfield, with Pedri, Rodri and Mikel Merino overpowering La Celeste. Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off just after Alex Baena opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. An error from Fernando Muslera saw the ball roll into the bottom left-hand corner. Just seconds before, a coming together between Uruguay players after good skill from Pedri left Ugarte in discomfort on the floor. Spain saw out their lead for the rest of the half, which means as it stands, they sit top of the group on seven points. Cape Verde are second as their match against Saudi Arabia is still 0-0, which means Uruguay are on the verge of being eliminated in the group stage. Uruguay need a goal at least to keep their hopes alive so the second half promises to be interesting.
Jun 27, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | Team News
Cape Verde aim to make World Cup history as they take on Saudi Arabia. The line-ups for the clash are confirmed. Cape Verde XI: Vozinha, Pina, Lopes, Borges, Paulo, Pina, Duarte, Monteiro, Mendes (c), Semedo, Livramento. Subs: Dos Santos, Rosa, Pires, Costa, Stopira, Moreira, Duarte, Semedo, Rodrigues, Benchimol, Varela, Cabral, da Costa. Saudi Arabia XI: Al-Owais, Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, Al-Tambakti, Al-Boushail, Kanno, Al-Dawsari, Alkhaibari, Mandash, Al-Buraikan, Al-Dawsari (c). Subs: Al-Kassar, Al-Aqidi, Lajami, Majrashi, Yahya, Kadesh, Thakri, Al-Harbi, Hajji, Al-Shamat, Al-Juwayr, Al-Johani, Al-Hamdan, Al-Ghannam, Al-Shehri. Cape Verde make more changes for their final group match as they hope to claim their first World Cup win. Dailon Livramento returns to the starting XI and Wagner Pina starts at right-back. Saudi Arabia also make changes with Sultan Mansash starting in attack. Mohamed Kanno also returns to the midfield in a must-win match for the Green Falcons.
Jun 26, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Uruguay vs Spain | Team News
The line-ups for the final Group H matches are confirmed. Uruguay XI: Muslera, Varela, Caceres, Olivera, Sanabria, Valverde (c), Bentancur, Ugarte, Canobbio, Nunez, Araujo. Subs: Mele, Rochet, Piquerez, Gimenez, Vina, Bueno, Martinez, de la Cruz, Rodriguez, Vinas, Pellistri, Aguirre, Zalazar. Spain XI: Simon, Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Pedri, Rodri (c), Merino, Lamine Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pubill, Porro, Grimaldo, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, Olmo, Pino, Iglesias, Ferran Torres, Williams, Munoz. Two changes for Spain as Mikel Merino starts in midfield and Marcos Llorente is called back into action at right-back. Marcelo Bielsa makes just the one change from his side that started against Cape Verde, with Darwin Nunez starting up front instead of Federico Vinas.
Jun 26, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Uruguay vs Spain Match Preview: Spain Look To Top Group As Uruguay Must Avoid Defeat
3
4
Jun 26, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Match Preview: Blue Sharks Chase Historic Second Place Finish Whilst Pressure Builds On Saudi Arabia
6
5
Jun 26, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde: Cape Verde Claim Second Point In Disappointing Draw For Uruguay
4
3
Jun 22, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde Half-Time Thoughts: Uruguay Mount Impressive Comeback After Cape Verde Score First World Cup Goal
Uruguay head into the break ahead after an impressive comeback late on in the first half. Cape Verde have been very entertaining to watch and have played with confidence, intensity and belief. They have showcased their solid defensive unit once again and looked dangerous on the counter. However, Uruguay have created chances, controlled possession and stayed resilient to turn the score-line around. The game started intense, with both teams attacking at pace. Augustin Canobbio found himself with space on the right wing and played a pass through to Federico Valverde who uncharacteristically dragged his shot wide in 14th minute. Cape Verde had chances of their own and played entertaining football throughout the half. After a brilliant run from Telmo Arcanjo, Cape Verde earned a free kick which looked too far out to shoot from. But Kevin Pina stepped up and hit a venomous strike through the Uruguayan wall, beating Fernando Muslera and finding its way into the bottom right corner. The celebrations were brilliant as Cape Verde celebrated their first ever World Cup goal - a moment the nation will remember forever. After that, the confidence really began to flow. The Blue Sharks were the better side for most of the half, playing with no fear and working extremely hard in and out of possession. Uruguay continued to dominate the ball and test the Cape Verde defence with crosses into the box. It began to look like a bit of frustration could creep in for Marcelo Bielsa and his team as Cape Verde had chances to extend their lead, showing shades of the first half against Saudi Arabia. But then the momentum began to shift just before the break. A good ball into the box was met by Rodrigo Bentancur, whose header was saved by Vozinha before it kindly fell to Maximiliano Araujo who was there to score his second goal of the tournament in a very similar fashion to his first. With five added minutes, Uruguay continued to push for another goal and managed to find another breakthrough. Manuel Ugarte crossed the ball in again and a header by Araujo gave Canobbio a golden opportunity, which he took. A well-worked goal just before the half-time whistle crushed Cape Verdean hearts but gave Uruguay a valuable lead to take into the break. It has been an entertaining first half with both sides showing quality. Uruguay have an important lead which they need to hold onto to keep their World Cup hopes alive but Cape Verde will believe they can do something special once more. The second half promises to be a great watch for the neutral!
Jun 21, 2026
FootballRoundtable
Load more
