Belgium scored Spain's first concession of the tournament, closing the first half 1-1, Chosun Ilbo reported.

In the Spanish camp, Iniesta-style advice for Yamal — 'one final winner beats five goals' — became the talking point after his five-match scoring run.

The weekend pits Haaland against Kane head-on, with Messi's Argentina also in action — sleepless nights for football fans.

The final's pitch, once panned as 'too dry to play,' spawned novel marketing: FIFA will cut and sell the turf afterward for up to ₩4.51 million.

Ambush marketing by non-sponsor brands has emerged as this World Cup's other spectator sport.