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Belgium were forced to make a last-minute change of team ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against Spain after Youri Tielemans was left out of the starting line-up due to injury.
Red Devils captain Tielemans was due to start alongside Nicholas Raskin in midfield but was replaced by Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken just 12 minutes before kick-off.
Belgium confirmed on their social media: “Following an injury during the warm-up, Youri Tielemans is being replaced in the starting line-up by Hans Vanaken.”
The exact nature of the injury has not been confirmed, but Tielemans was reported to have a hamstring problem.
Youri Tielemans will watch from the sidelines during Belgium’s quarter-final match against Spain. (Getty)
Tielemans was instrumental in helping Belgium reach the last 16 of the World Cup, and his decisive performance against Senegal in the round of 16 saved his country from elimination.
After Romelu Lukaku cut Senegal’s two-goal lead in the 86th minute, Tielemans equalized with a minute left. He then scored a late penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to break Senegalese hearts and secure a round of 16 draw with hosts USA.
Tielemans played the entire match in Seattle as Belgium overcame pre-match controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspension to dominate the United States for a 4-1 win.
Vanaken, meanwhile, came off the bench for the clash and was the beneficiary of a clown show from the Americans, with goalkeeper Matt Freese stripped of the ball before the 33-year-old fired into an open goal from range.
Hans Vanaken replaced the injured Tielemans. (Reuters)
He later provided an assist for Lukaku’s goal in the 93rd minute, adding salt to the US’s wounds.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were left out of the match against the USA but returned to the squad to face Spain, who reached the quarter-finals by beating Portugal.
The winner of the match in Los Angeles will face France after Didier Deschamps’ side beat Morocco on Thursday.