The World Cup comes to Inglewood one more time
Spain and Belgium meet at SoFi Stadium today in a World Cup quarterfinal — one win from a semifinal date with France, and the biggest match yet at Southern California’s crown-jewel stadium.
Good morning! The main event is here — and it’s in our backyard. Spain and Belgium meet at SoFi Stadium at noon in a World Cup quarterfinal, with a place in the final four on the line. France already booked its ticket, dispatching Morocco 2-0. It was a quieter night for the home nine. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
⚽ Belgium’s back at it. The side that ended the USMNT’s run faces Spain at SoFi today — Steve Carp on what makes Belgium tick.
⚾ Trout’s back. Mike Trout returned from the injured list with a home run in an Angels blowout this week — Jack Janes has it.
⚾ Betts delivers. Mookie Betts’ go-ahead single lifted the Dodgers past the Rockies — Fredo Cervantes from Chavez Ravine.
🏀 Sparks rebound. Inspired play snapped a three-game skid against the Fever — Rey Moralde at Crypto.com Arena.
🏀 Vegas adds depth. The Aces signed Ta’Niya Latson to a development player contract — Arion Armeniakos in Las Vegas.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — THURSDAY
⚽ World Cup (QF): France 2, Morocco 0 (France advances to the semifinals)
⚾ MLB: Rangers 7, Angels 6 · Diamondbacks 3, Padres 1
⚽ THE WORLD CUP COMES TO INGLEWOOD
For one afternoon, the center of the soccer world sits in Inglewood. Spain and Belgium meet at SoFi Stadium at noon in a World Cup quarterfinal, with the winner advancing to face France in the semifinals. Spain arrives as the tournament’s most complete side — unbeaten, yet to concede a goal, and built around teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and breakout star Mikel Oyarzabal. Belgium, the team that ended the USMNT’s run, has grown sharper by the round behind the attacking trio of Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku. It is, fittingly, the eighth and final World Cup match SoFi will host — a marquee sendoff for the building that will headline the 2028 Olympics.
GO DEEPER
› Steve Carp: For Belgium, the (Red) Devil’s in the details (The Sporting Tribune)
› TST Images: Belgium’s Round of 16 win over the United States at Lumen Field (The Sporting Tribune)
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⚽ THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
The bracket is tightening. France is through to a third straight semifinal after a 2-0 win over Morocco, with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembelé doing the damage. Today’s Spain-Belgium winner at SoFi joins them in the final four and will meet France on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. The weekend rounds out the last eight: Norway and England clash Saturday, followed by defending champion Argentina against Switzerland. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
⚾ A GOOD WEEK FOR THE HOME TEAMS
Away from the World Cup, it was an encouraging stretch for the locals. Mike Trout returned from the injured list with a home run in a 13-1 Angels rout, Mookie Betts’ go-ahead single carried the Dodgers past Colorado, the Padres’ bats broke out in a 10-4 win, and the Sparks snapped a three-game skid with their most complete performance in weeks. A rougher Thursday — losses for the Angels and Padres — was a reminder there’s still work to do, but the arrows are pointing up heading into the weekend.
GO DEEPER
› Offense explodes, Trout homers in return from IL in blowout win (The Sporting Tribune)
› Sparks snap three-game losing skid with inspired play against Fever (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — FRIDAY, JULY 10
⚽ World Cup (QF): Spain vs. Belgium — Fox — 12 p.m. PT · SoFi Stadium
⚾ MLB: Angels at Twins — 5:10 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Blue Jays at Padres — 6:40 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Diamondbacks at Dodgers — SportsNet LA — 7:10 p.m. PT
🎟️ GOING TO A GAME TODAY?
Get-in prices across Southern California and Las Vegas — brought to you by TickPick, the no-hidden-fee ticket marketplace.
⚽ World Cup QF: Spain vs. Belgium — SoFi Stadium —$1,204
⚾ MLB: Diamondbacks at Dodgers — Dodger Stadium — $54
🌴 TST TRIVIA
Today’s Spain-Belgium quarterfinal is the last World Cup match SoFi Stadium will host. The building will welcome the world again in 2028 — for what event?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode sets the stage for the World Cup quarterfinal at SoFi — Spain vs. Belgium, with a semifinal against France waiting — recaps France’s win over Morocco, and checks in on a solid week for the home teams. Hear it on the radio across Southern California and Las Vegas via Westwood One Sports.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: The 2028 Summer Olympics — SoFi Stadium will co-host the opening ceremony with the Coliseum and stage the swimming competition.
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