Spain and Belgium meet in a high-stakes World Cup quarter-final on Friday, with both European sides vying for a semi-final berth against France. The encounter pits Spain’s disciplined defense against Belgium’s resilient counter-attacking approach in a rematch of their 2026 group stage clash.
Expected Lineups
Spain: Simon – Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri (C), Pedri – Yamal, Olmo, Baena – Oyarzabal
Belgium: Courtois – Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper – Vanaken, Raskin – Lukebakio, Tielemans, Doku – De Ketelaere
Spain enters the match with a tournament-leading defensive record, having kept a clean sheet in every game. Their possession-based style under Luis de la Fuente has emphasized tactical discipline and technical precision. Belgium, known for their physicality and transition play, will aim to disrupt Spain’s rhythm and capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
The winner of this quarter-final will face France in the semi-finals, adding historical intrigue to an already compelling fixture. Both teams are expected to field their strongest available lineups as they seek to progress in the competition.
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