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Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans has pulled out of his side's World Cup quarter-final against Spain due to injury

Youri Tielemans has been replaced by Hans Vanaken in Belgium's starting XI to face Spain in a World Cup quarter-final just before kick-off due to an injury.

With just 15 minutes until the game was due to start, the BBC broke the news that Tielemans was forced to miss out having also not appeared in the warm-up.

BBC lead commentator Steve Bower said: "Well I understand that Youri Tielemans has been withdrawn from the Belgium side at the very last minute and that Hans Vanaken will come in.

"Tielemans did not play any part in the warm-up, it was a bit weird, I haven't got it 100% confirmed yet, but my understanding is that he won't play and Hans Vanaken will be in that defensive midfield role, so very, very late change."

The decision was made official moments later with the Belgian national team stating on X: "Following an injury during the warm-up, Youri Tielemans is replaced in the starting XI by Hans Vanaken."

Bower later added that it may be a hamstring injury with the 29-year-old spotted in the dugout just a few minutes into the clash.

That blow is not only an issue for Belgium but also for Aston Villa with club and national team-mate Andre Onana rupturing his ACL in the last-16 victory over the USMNT.

The build up to that clash was engulfed in controversy after Folarin Balogun was allowed to play despite being sent off in the previous round. FIFA suspended his one-match ban for 12 months which caused uproar in Belgium and amongst other nations.

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England boss Thomas Tuchel was one of those far from pleased and his anger at the situation likely only increased upon learning that Jarell Quansah was banned for two games after his red card against Mexico.

He will miss the quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final against either Switzerland or Argentina.

There are also concerns that Marc Guehi and Declan Rice could be absent after the duo missed training in the lead up. The latter has been dealing with illness while Guehi picked up a hamstring issue in the win over Mexico.

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